Electronic device including light detection device and operation method thereof

ABSTRACT

An operation method and an electronic device are provided. A phone call is established while a display of the electronic device is activated. A proximity sensor of the electronic device is turned on. A supply of power to the proximity sensor is controlled to emit light through a plurality of pixels in a portion of the display corresponding to a position of the proximity sensor and the light emitted by the proximity sensor and reflected by an object is received to identify a distance between the electronic device and the object, if the plurality of the pixels in the position corresponding to the proximity sensor are deactivated during the phone call. The supply of power to the proximity sensor is blocked if the plurality of pixels in the portion of the display corresponding to the proximity sensor are activated during the phone call.

PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/876,486, filed in the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice (USPTO) on May 18, 2020, which is a Continuation Application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/456,758, filed in the USPTO on Jun.28, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,707,351, issued on Jul. 7, 2020, which isa Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/870,423,filed in the USPTO on Jan. 12, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,381,485,issued on Aug. 13, 2019, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice on Jan. 26, 2017, and assigned Serial No. 10-2017-0012739, theentire content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic device and anoperation method thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

Electronic devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer(PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), along with the development ofdigital technologies, have also been developed in a form that can beworn by a user to improve portability and user accessibility.

An electronic device may include a display to display an image. Thedisplay may be a touch-sensitive display, and the electronic device maysense a user input through the display. The electronic device mayinclude sensors for detecting physical quantities and environmentalchanges. For example, the sensor may be a light sensor, such as aproximity sensor. The electronic device may perform functions on thebasis of a signal output from a sensor.

A light sensor may include a light emitting unit for outputting light,and a light receiving unit for receiving light scattered or reflectedfrom an object. The light sensor may be installed in the periphery ofthe display. However, since users may prefer a large screen, a spaceother than the space of the display may be reduced when designing toexpand the display while maintaining the size of the electronic device,and this may cause difficulty in installing the light sensor.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to address at least the abovementioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least theadvantages described below.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide anelectronic device including a light detection device, in which a displaymay be expanded and a light sensor may be installed while maintainingthe size of the electronic device, and an operation method thereof.

Accordingly, another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide theelectronic device including a light detection device, for reducing theelectrical influence of light (or light energy) output from a lightemitting unit of the light sensor on the display, when the light sensoris installed below a layer of the display, and an operation methodthereof.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide the electronicdevice including a light detection device, for lowering the visibilityof a spot generated on the display by the light output from the lightemitting unit of the light sensor, and an operation method thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice is provided that includes a display and a proximity sensordisposed behind the display. The proximity sensor is configured to emitand receive a light of a specific wavelength band. The electronic devicealso includes a memory storing instructions and a processor configuredto execute the instructions. A phone call is established while thedisplay is activated. The proximity sensor is turned on. A supply ofpower to the proximity sensor is controlled to emit light through aplurality of pixels in a portion of the display corresponding to aposition of the proximity sensor and the light emitted by the proximitysensor and reflected by an object is received to identify a distancebetween the electronic device and the object, if the plurality of thepixels in the position corresponding to the proximity sensor aredeactivated during the phone call. The supply of power to the proximitysensor is blocked if the plurality of pixels in the portion of thedisplay corresponding to the proximity sensor are activated during thephone call.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anoperation method of an electronic device is provided. A phone call isestablished while a display of the electronic device is activated. Aproximity sensor of the electronic device is turned on. A supply ofpower to the proximity sensor is controlled to emit light through aplurality of pixels in a portion of the display corresponding to aposition of the proximity sensor and the light emitted by the proximitysensor and reflected by an object is received to identify a distancebetween the electronic device and the object, if the plurality of thepixels in the position corresponding to the proximity sensor aredeactivated during the phone call. The supply of power to the proximitysensor is blocked if the plurality of pixels in the portion of thedisplay corresponding to the proximity sensor are activated during thephone call.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network environment system, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an electronic device,according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration of a program module,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are an electronic device including a display and atleast one light sensor, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of a structure including the displayand the at least one light sensor, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are diagrams for describing a light blockingelement, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a display including the light blocking element, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F are diagrams for describing aproduction flow for molding the light blocking element, according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, and 9H are diagrams for describing aproduction flow for molding the light blocking element, according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the electronic device that provides alight detection function, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control unit in more detail, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the electronic device that provides the lightdetection function, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 are diagrams for describing the flowchart of FIG.12;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the electronic device that provides the lightdetection function, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams for describing the flowchart of FIG. 16,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the electronic device that provides aproximity recognition function, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are flowcharts of the electronic device that providesthe proximity recognition function, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing the flowcharts of FIGS. 20A and 20B,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 22 is a table including proximity recognition distance information,light output power value information, and proximity recognitionthreshold value information, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar referencenumerals may be used to refer to similar elements. It should beunderstood that there is no intent to limit the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed herein; rather the present disclosureshould be construed to include various modifications, equivalents,and/or alternatives to corresponding embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals maybe used to designate similar constituent elements. A singular expressionmay include a plural expression unless they are definitely different ina context.

In the present disclosure, the expressions “A or B” and “A and/or B”,may include all possible combinations of items listed together. Theexpressions “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, or “the second”, maymodify corresponding elements regardless of order or importance, and areused only to distinguish one element from another element, but do notlimit the corresponding elements. When an element (e.g., first element)is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) connected,”or “directly coupled” to another element (e.g., second element), theelement may be connected directly to the another element or connected tothe another element through yet another element (e.g., third element).When an element (e.g., first element) is referred to as being “directlycoupled” or “directly connected” to another element (e.g., secondelement), it should be understood that there is no intervening element(e.g., third element).

The expression “configured to” may be interchangeably used with, forexample, the expressions “suitable for”, “having the capacity to”,“designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or “capable of”, in terms ofhardware or software, according to circumstances. Alternatively, in somesituations, the expression “device configured to” may indicate that thedevice, together with other devices or components, “is able to” or“capable of”. For example, the phrase “processor adapted (or configured)to perform A, B, and C” may refer to a dedicated processor (e.g.embedded processor) only for performing the corresponding operations ora generic-purpose processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) orapplication processor (AP)) that can perform the correspondingoperations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memorydevice.

An electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure,may include at least one of, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, amobile phone, a video phone, an electronic book reader, a desktop PC, alaptop PC, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a PDA, aportable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a medical device, acamera, and a wearable device. The wearable device may include at leastone of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet,a necklace, a glasses, a contact lens, or a head-mounted device (HMD)),a fabric or clothing integrated type (e.g., an electronic clothing), abody-mounted type (e.g., a skin pad, or tattoo), and an implantablecircuit.

An electronic device may include at least one of, for example, atelevision, a digital video disk (DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator,an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, awashing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automationcontrol panel, a security control panel, a TV box (e.g., SamsungHomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a game console (e.g., Xbox™ andPlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder,and an electronic photo frame.

An electronic device may include at least one of a medical device (e.g.,a portable medical measuring device (e.g., a blood glucose monitoringdevice, a heart rate monitoring device, a blood pressure measuringdevice, or a body temperature measuring device), a magnetic resonanceangiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computedtomography (CT) machine, and an ultrasonic machine), a navigationdevice, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, an event datarecorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), a vehicle infotainmentdevices, an electronic device for a ship (e.g., a navigation device fora ship and a gyro-compass), avionics, security devices, an automotivehead unit, a robot for home or industry, an automatic teller machine(ATM), point of sales (POS) device, or an internet of things device(e.g., a light bulb, a sensor, a sprinkler device, a fire alarm, athermostat, a streetlamp, a toaster, a sporting goods, a hot water tank,a heater, or a boiler).

An electronic device may include at least one of a part of furniture, abuilding/structure, a vehicle, an electronic board, an electronicsignature receiving device, a projector, and a measuring instrument(e.g., a water meter, an electric meter, a gas meter, and a radio wavemeter).

An electronic device may be flexible, or may be a combination of two ormore of the aforementioned devices.

An electronic device of the present disclosure is not limited to theabove described devices.

The term “user” may indicate a person using an electronic device or adevice (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) using anelectronic device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network environment system, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 101 within a networkenvironment 100 includes a bus 110, a processor 120, a memory 130, aninput/output interface 150, a display 160, and communication interface170. The electronic device 101 may omit at least one of the aboveelements or additionally include other elements.

The bus 110 includes a circuit that connects elements 110 to 170 andenables communication (e.g., transferring a control message or data)between the elements.

The processor 120 includes one or more of a CPU, an AP, and acommunication processor (CP). The processor 120 may perform operationsor data processing relating to control of and/or communication with theother elements of the electronic device 101.

The memory 130 may include a volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Thememory 130 may store instructions or data relevant to the other elementsof the electronic device 101. The memory 130 may store software and/or aprogram 140. The program 140 includes a kernel 141, middleware 143, anapplication programming interface (API) 145, and/or application programs147. At least some of the kernel 141, the middleware 143, and the API145 may be referred to as an operating system. The kernel 141 maycontrol or manage system resources (e.g., the bus 110, the processor120, or the memory 130) used for executing an operation or functionimplemented by other programs (e.g., the middleware 143, the API 145, orthe application 147). Furthermore, the kernel 141 may provide aninterface allowing the middleware 143, the API 145, or the applicationprograms 147 to access the individual elements of the electronic device101 to control or manage system resources.

The application programs 147 may include an object analysis applicationfor analyzing objects using a light detection device (or a lightsensor). The object analysis application may acquire informationrelating to skin moisture, skin melanin, or skin erythema related to theuser's skin by using a spectroscopic detection device.

The application programs 147 may detect a proximity distance to anobject by using a color detection device (or a color sensor) and aproximity detection device (or a proximity sensor).

The middleware 143 may function as an intermediary for communicatingwith and exchanging data between the API 145 or the application programs147 and the kernel 141. In addition, the middleware 143 may process oneor more task requests received from the application programs 147according to their priorities. For example, the middleware 143 mayassign priorities for using the system resources (e.g., the bus 110, theprocessor 120, or the memory 130) of the electronic device 101 to one ormore of the application program 147, and may process the one or moretask requests.

The API 145 is an interface used by the application programs 147 tocontrol a function provided from the kernel 141 or the middleware 143,and may include at least one interface or function (e.g., aninstruction) for file control, window control, image processing, orcharacter control. The input/output interface 150 may forwardinstructions or data, input from a user or an external device, to theother elements of the electronic device 101, or may output instructionsor data, received from the other elements of the electronic device 101,to the user or the external device.

The display 160 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a lightemitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED)display, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) display, or anelectronic paper display. The display 160 may display various types ofcontent (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, and/or symbols) for a user.The display 160 may include a touch screen and receive a touch, gesture,proximity, or hovering input using an electronic pen or a user's bodypart.

The communication interface 170 may configure communication between theelectronic device 101 and an external device (e.g., a first externalelectronic device 102, a second external electronic device 104, or aserver 106). For example, the communication interface 170 may beconnected to a network 162 through wireless or wired communication tocommunicate with the second external electronic device 104 or the server106.

The wireless communication may include a cellular communication thatuses at least one of long term evolution (LTE), LTE-advance (LTE-A),code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universalmobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), orglobal system for mobile communications (GSM). The wirelesscommunication may include short-range wireless communication, such aswireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), light fidelity (Li-Fi), bluetooth, bluetoothlow energy (BLE), zigbee, near field communication (NFC), magneticsecure transmission, radio frequency (RF), or a body area network (BAN).

According to an embodiment, the wireless communication may include aglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS) (i.e., a global positioningsystem (GPS), a GLONASS, a Beidou navigation satellite system (Beidou),or Galileo (the European global satellite-based navigation system)).Hereinafter, the term “GPS” may be interchangeable with the term “GNSS”.

The wired communication may include at least one of a universal serialbus (USB), a high definition multimedia Interface (HDMI), recommendedstandard 232 (RS-232), and a plain old telephone service (POTS). Thenetwork 162 may include a telecommunications network or at least one ofa computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN)), the Internet, and a telephone network.

Each of the first and second external electronic devices 102 and 104 maybe of the same type or a different type from that of the electronicdevice 101. All or some of the operations performed in the electronicdevice 101 may be performed in the electronic devices 102 and 104,and/or the server 106. When the electronic device 101 has to perform afunction or service automatically or in response to a request, theelectronic device 101 may request the electronic device 102 or 104,and/or the server 106, to perform at least some functions relatingthereto, instead of autonomously or additionally performing the functionor service. The electronic device 102 or 104, and/or the server 106, mayexecute the requested functions or the additional functions, and maydeliver an execution result to the electronic device 101. The electronicdevice 101 may provide the received result as it is, or may additionallyprocess the received result to provide the requested functions orservices. To this end, cloud computing, distributed computing, orclient-server computing technology may be used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an electronic device 201according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 201 includes at least oneprocessor 210 (e.g., an AP), a communication module 220, a subscriberidentification module (SIM) card 224, a memory 230, a sensor module 240,an input device 250, a display 260, an interface 270, an audio module280, a camera module 291, a power management module 295, a battery 296,an indicator 297, and a motor 298.

The processor 210 may control a plurality of hardware or softwareelements connected thereto and may perform various data processing andoperations by driving an operating system or an application program. Theprocessor 210 may be implemented by a system on chip (SoC) and mayfurther include a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/or an image signalprocessor. The processor 210 may also include at least some (e.g., acellular module 221) of the elements illustrated in FIG. 2. Theprocessor 210 may load, in a volatile memory, instructions or datareceived from at least one of the other elements (e.g., a non-volatilememory), process the loaded instructions or data, and store the resultin the non-volatile memory.

The communication module 220 includes, for example, a cellular module221, a Wi-Fi module 223, a bluetooth module 225, a GNSS module 227, anNFC module 228, and an RF module 229. The cellular module 221 mayprovide a voice call, a video call, a text message service, an Internetservice, or the like through a communication network. The cellularmodule 221 may identify or authenticate an electronic device 201 in thecommunication network using the SIM card 224. The cellular module 221may perform at least some of the functions that the AP 210 provides. Thecellular module 221 may include a CP. At least some of the cellularmodule 221, the Wi-Fi module 223, the bluetooth module 225, the GNSSmodule 227, and the NFC module 228 may be included in a singleIntegrated Chip (IC) or IC package. The RF module 229 may transmit orreceive a communication signal (e.g., an RF signal). The RF module 229may include a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter,a low noise amplifier (LNA), or an antenna. At least one of the cellularmodule 221, the Wi-Fi module 223, the bluetooth module 225, the GNSSmodule 227, and the NFC module 228 may transmit or receive an RF signalthrough a separate RF module. The SIM card 224 may include an embeddedSIM and may contain unique identification information (e.g., anintegrated circuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information(e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory 230 includes at least one of an internal memory 232 or anexternal memory 234. The internal memory 232 may include, for example,at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a DRAM, an SRAM, or an SDRAM)and a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable ROM (OTPROM), aPROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory, ahard drive, or a solid-state drive (SSD)). The external memory 234 mayinclude a flash drive, a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), amicro-SD, a mini-SD, an extreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC),and a memory stick. The external memory 234 may be functionally and/orphysically connected to the electronic device 201 through variousinterfaces.

The sensor module 240 may measure a physical quantity or sense theoperating state of the electronic device 201 and may convert themeasured or sensed information into an electrical signal.

The sensor module 240 includes at least one of a gesture sensor 240A, agyro sensor 240B, an atmospheric pressure sensor 240C, a magnetic sensor240D, an acceleration sensor 240E, a grip sensor 240F, a proximitysensor 240G, a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor 240H, a biometric sensor240I, a temperature/humidity sensor 240J, an illumination sensor 240K,and a ultraviolet (UV) sensor 240M. Additionally or alternatively, thesensor module 240 may include an e-nose sensor, an electromyography(EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram(ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, and/or afingerprint sensor. The sensor module 240 may further include a controlcircuit for controlling one or more sensors included therein. Theelectronic device 201 may further include, as a part of the processor210 or separately from the processor 210, in order to control the sensormodule 240 while the processor 210 is in a sleep state, a processorconfigured to control the sensor module 240.

At least one light sensor (e.g., the gesture sensor 240A, the proximitysensor 240G, or the biometric sensor 240I) may be disposed below orunder the display 260. At least one light sensor may be disposed on atleast a part of the rear surface of the display 260 designed to betransmissive to light. The at least one light sensor may include a lightreceiving unit and a light emitting unit, which are not shown. The lightreceiving unit may receive light (or a light signal) scattered orreflected from an object, and may generate an electrical signal (or adigital value) based on the received light. The light that is outputfrom the light emitting unit may be emitted to the outside through thedisplay 260. The external light may pass through the display 260 andenter the light receiving unit.

The electronic device 201 may include a light blocking element forreducing the electrical influence of light output from the lightemitting unit of the light sensor on the display. The light blockingelement may be disposed inside the display 260. The light blockingelement blocks the light (or light energy) output from the lightemitting unit of the light sensor from entering the display, and mayprevent an erroneous operation (e.g., a spot) of the display, which iscaused due to the light output from the light emitting unit of the lightsensor.

The processor 210 may control the light emitting unit of the lightsensor and/or the display 260 in order to lower the visibility of a spotgenerated on the display 260 due to the light output from the lightemitting unit of the light sensor. The processor 210 may adjust thedisplay 260 to express an area of the display 260, which corresponds tothe light emitting unit of the light sensor, in a dark color (e.g., ablack color). For example, when an image is displayed on the display260, the processor 210 may adjust the light emitting unit to outputlight of at least one wavelength band in an interval in which a pixel isturned off for a time in a frame. The processor 210 may adjust thedisplay 260 to deactivate an area of the display 260 at a position inalignment with at least one light source of the light emitting unit. Theprocessor 210 may adjust the display 260 to display a black color in thearea of the display 260 at a position in alignment with at least onelight source of the light emitting unit.

The processor 210 may improve power consumption of the electronic device201 by adjusting a light output power level of at least one light sourceof the proximity sensor 240G in a proximity detection mode using theproximity sensor 240G. The light blocking element may block the lightoutput from the light emitting unit from entering a part (e.g., a thinfilm transistor (TFT)) of the display 260. When the electronic device201 is designed to have the light blocking element, a light output powervalue of the light emitting unit may be set to a relatively high fixedvalue compared to when the electronic device 201 is designed not to havethe light blocking element. An operation of setting the light outputpower value of the light emitting unit to the relatively high fixedvalue, compared to when the electronic device 201 is designed not tohave the light blocking element, may be aimed at compensating forinfluence of the light from the light emitting unit by at least onelight blocking element. An operation of setting the light output powervalue of the light emitting unit to the relatively high fixed value,compared to when the electronic device 201 is designed not to have thelight blocking element, may not be effective for power consumption. Theprocessor 210 flexibly adjusts the light output power value of the lightemitting unit based on a proximity distance of an object so that powerconsumption of the electronic device 201 may by improved.

The input device 250 includes a touch panel 252, a (digital) pen sensor254, a key 256, or an ultrasonic input device 258. The touch panel 252may use at least one of capacitive, resistive, infrared, and ultrasonictypes. Furthermore, the touch panel 252 may include a control circuitand a tactile layer to provide a tactile reaction to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor 254 may include a recognition sheet that is apart of, or separate from, the touch panel.

The key 256 may include a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad.

The ultrasonic input device 258 may sense ultrasonic waves generated byan input tool through a microphone 288 to identify data corresponding tothe sensed ultrasonic waves.

The display 260 includes a panel 262, a hologram device 264, a projector266, and/or a control circuit for controlling them.

The panel 262 may be implemented to be flexible, transparent, orwearable. The panel 262, together with the touch panel 252, may beconfigured as one or more modules. The panel 262 may include a pressuresensor (or a force sensor) for measuring a pressure of a user's touch.The pressure sensor may be integrated with the touch panel 252 or may beimplemented as one or more sensors separate from the touch panel 252.

The hologram device 264 may display a three-dimensional image in the airby using light interference.

The projector 266 may display an image by projecting light onto ascreen. The screen may be located in the interior of, or on the exteriorof, the electronic device 201.

The interface 270 includes at least one of an HDMI 272, a USB 274, anoptical interface 276, or a D-subminiature (D-sub) 278. Additionally oralternatively, the interface 270 may include a mobile high-definitionlink (MHL) interface, an SD card/MMC interface, or an Infrared DataAssociation (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module 280 may convert sound into an electrical signal, andvice versa. The audio module 280 may process sound information that isinput or output through a speaker 282, a receiver 284, earphones 286,and the microphone 288.

The camera module 291 is a device that can photograph a still image anda moving image.

The camera module 291 may include one or more image sensors (e.g., afront sensor or a rear sensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP),or a flash (e.g., an LED or xenon lamp).

The power management module 295 may manage the power of the electronicdevice 201.

The power management module 295 may include a power managementintegrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery gauge. The PMICmay use a wired and/or wireless charging method.

The wireless charging method may include a magnetic resonance method, amagnetic induction method, and an electromagnetic wave method.Additional circuits (e.g., a coil loop, a resonance circuit, and arectifier) for wireless charging may be further included. The batterygauge may measure a residual amount, a voltage, current, or temperatureof the battery 296. The battery 296 may include a rechargeable batteryand/or a solar battery.

The indicator 297 may display a booting state, a message state, or acharging state, of the electronic device 201 or a part thereof (e.g.,the processor 210).

The motor 298 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalvibration, and generate a vibration or haptic effect.

The electronic device 201 may include a mobile TV support device (e.g.,GPU) that may process media data according to a standard, such asdigital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB),and mediaFlo™.

Each of the above-described elements of hardware may be configured withone or more components, and the names of the corresponding elements mayvary based on the type of electronic device.

The electronic device 201 may be configured such that some elements areomitted, additional elements are included, or some of the elements arecombined into a single entity, in which functions of the compound entitymay be performed in the same manner to the functions of the individualcomponents.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration of a program module,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The program module310 may include an operating system (OS) that controls resourcesrelating to the electronic device 101 and/or the application programs147 that are driven on the OS. The operating system may include, forexample, Android™, iOS™, Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, or Bada™.

Referring to FIG. 3, the program module 310 includes a kernel 320,middleware 330, an API 360, and/or applications 370. At least a part ofthe program module 310 may be preloaded on the electronic device 101, ormay be downloaded from an external electronic device (e.g., the externalelectronic device 102 or 104, or the server 106).

The kernel 320 includes a system resource manager 321 and/or a devicedriver 323. The system resource manager 321 may control, allocate, orretrieve system resources. The system resource manager 321 may include aprocess manager, a memory manager, or a file system manager. The devicedriver 323 may include a display driver, a camera driver, a bluetoothdriver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fidriver, an audio driver, or an inter-process communication (IPC) driver.

The middleware 330 may provide a function required by the applications370 in common, or may provide various functions to the applications 370through the API 360 such that the applications 370 can efficiently uselimited system resources within the electronic device 101. According toan embodiment, the middleware 330 includes a runtime library 335, anapplication manager 341, a window manager 342, a multi-media manager343, a resource manager 344, a power manager 345, a database manager346, a package manager 347, a connectivity manager 348, a notificationmanager 349, a location manager 350, a graphic manager 351, and asecurity manager 352.

The runtime library 335 may include a library module that a compileruses to add a new function through a programming language while theapplications 370 are being executed. The runtime library 335 may managean input/output, manage a memory, or process an arithmetic function. Theapplication manager 341 may manage the life cycles of the applications370.

The window manager 342 may manage GUI resources used for a screen.

The multimedia manager 343 may identify formats required for reproducingvarious media files and may encode or decode a media file using a codecsuitable for a corresponding format.

The resource manager 344 may manage source code of the applications 370or space in memory.

The power manager 345 may manage the capacity, temperature, or power ofa battery, and may determine or provide power information necessary foran operation of the electronic device 101 using the information of thebattery.

The power manager 345 may operate in conjunction with a basicinput/output system (BIOS).

The database manager 346 may generate, search, or change databases to beused by the applications 370.

The package manager 347 may manage the installation or update of anapplication that is distributed in the form of a package file.

The connectivity manager 348 may manage a wireless connection.

The notification manager 349 may provide an event to a user, such as anarrival message notification, an appointment notification, and aproximity notification.

The location manager 350 may manage the location information of theelectronic device 101.

The graphic manager 351 may manage a graphic effect to be provided to auser and a user interface relating to the graphic effect.

The security manager 352 may provide system security or userauthentication.

The middleware 330 may include a telephony manager for managing a voiceor video call function of the electronic device 101 or a middlewaremodule capable of forming a combination of functions of theabove-described elements.

The middleware 330 may provide specialized modules according to a typeof operation system. The middleware 330 may dynamically delete someexisting elements or add new ones.

The API 360 is a set of API programming functions, and may be providedwith different configurations depending on the operating system. Forexample, Android™ or iOS™ may provide one API set for each platform, andTizen™ may provide two or more API sets for each platform.

The application 370 includes a home 371 application, a dialer 372application, an SMS/MMS 373 application, an instant message (IM) 374application, a browser 375 application, a camera 376 application, analarm 377 application, a contact 378 application, a voice dial 379application, an e-mail 380 application, a calendar 381 application, amedia player 382 application, an album 383 application, and a watch 384application. The application 370 may additionally include a healthcareapplication (e.g., for measuring an amount of exercise or a bloodglucose level) or an environmental information application (e.g., forproviding atmospheric pressure, humidity, or temperature information).The applications 370 may include an information exchange applicationthat can support the exchange of information between the electronicdevice and an external electronic device 101. The information exchangeapplication may include a notification relay application for relayingparticular information to an external electronic device or a devicemanagement application for managing an external electronic device. Forexample, the notification relay application may relay notificationinformation generated in the other applications of the electronic device101 to an external electronic device, or the notification relayapplication may receive notification information from an externalelectronic device to provide to a user. The device managementapplication may install, delete, or update a function (e.g., adjustingbrightness (or resolution) of the display or turning on/off an externalelectronic device itself) of an external electronic device communicatingwith the electronic device or an application operating in the externalelectronic device. The application 370 may include at least anapplication (e.g., a health care application of a mobile medicalappliance) designated according to attributes of an external electronicdevice. The application 370 may include applications received from anexternal electronic device. At least apart of the program module 310 maybe implemented (e.g., executed) by software, firmware, hardware, or acombination thereof, and may include a module, a program, a routine, aninstruction set, or a process for performing one or more functions.

The term “module” as used herein may include a unit consisting ofhardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably withthe terms “logic”, “logical block”, “component”, or “circuit”. The“module” may be an integrated component, or a minimum unit forperforming one or more functions or a part thereof. The “module” may bemechanically or electronically implemented and may include anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, an FPGA, or aprogrammable-logic device, which is now known or is to be developed inthe future, for performing certain operations.

At least some devices (e.g., modules or functions thereof) or methods(e.g., operations) may be implemented by an instruction which is storeda computer-readable storage medium in the form of a program module. Theinstruction, when executed by a processor, may cause one or moreprocessors to execute the function corresponding to the instruction. Acomputer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a floppydisk, a magnetic medium (e.g., a magnetic tape), an optical recordingmedium (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD, a magnetic-optical medium (e.g., afloptical disk), or an embedded memory). The instruction may include acode created by a complier or a code executable by an interpreter.

Modules or program modules may include at least one or more of theelements described above, may have some of the elements omitted, or mayfurther include additional elements.

Operations performed by a module, a programming module, or otherelements may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in aheuristic manner. At least some operations may be executed according toanother sequence, may be omitted, or may further include additionaloperations.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are an electronic device including a display and atleast one light sensor, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of a structure includingthe display and the at least one light sensor, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D arediagrams for describing a light blocking element, according toembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a display including thelight blocking element, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. An electronic device 400 may include at least some elementsof the electronic device 101 of FIG. 1 or at least some elements of theelectronic device 201 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the electronic device 400 includes ahousing 410 that forms all or at least a part of the appearance of theelectronic device 400. The housing 410 may include a non-metallicmaterial and/or a metallic material. For example, the housing 410 may beformed of plastic, metal, carbon fiber, other fiber composites,ceramics, glass, wood, or a combination thereof. The housing 410 may beformed entirely of one material, a combination of a plurality ofmaterials, and/or of materials having partially different properties.

The housing 410 may include a first surface 4001, a second surface 4002,and a third surface 4003. The first surface 4001 faces in a firstdirection 40011 and the second surface 4002 faces in a second direction40021 opposite the first direction 40011. The third surface 4003surrounds the space between the first surface 4001 and the secondsurface 4002.

The first surface 4001 and/or the second surface 4002 of the housing 410may be substantially planar. The third surface 4003 of the first housing410 may include a flat surface or a curved surface.

The housing 410 includes a first cover 410-1 forming the first surface4001, and a second cover 410-2 forming the second surface 4002. Thehousing 410 includes a bezel 410-3 surrounding the space between thefirst cover 410-1 and the second cover 410-2. The bezel 410-3 forms thethird surface 4003.

The first cover 410-1 may be rectangular and includes a first edge415-1, a second edge 415-2, a third edge 415-3, and a fourth edge 415-4.The first edge 415-1 and the second edge 415-2 may face each other andmay be in parallel, and the third edge 415-3 and the fourth edge 415-4may face each other and may also be in parallel. One end of the firstedge 415-1 may be connected to the third edge 415-3, and the other endof the first edge 415-1 may be connected to the fourth edge 415-4. Oneend of the second edge 415-2 may be connected to the third edge 415-3and the other end of the second edge 415-2 may be connected to thefourth edge 415-4.

The distance between the first edge 415-1 and the second edge 415-2 maybe greater than the distance between the third edge 415-3 and the fourthedge 415-4.

A connection part of the first edge 415-1 and the third edge 415-3, aconnection part of the first edge 415-1 and the fourth edge 415-4, aconnection part of the second edge 415-2 and the third edge 415-3, or aconnection part of second edge 415-2 and the fourth edge 415-4 may berounded.

The second cover 410-2 may have the same size and shape as those of thefirst cover 410-1. The second cover 410-2 may be rectangular andincludes a fifth edge 415-5 corresponding to the first edge 415-1, asixth edge 415-6 corresponding to the second edge 415-2, a seventh edge415-7 corresponding to the third edge 415-3, and an eighth edge 415-8corresponding to the fourth edge 415-4.

At least a part of the first cover 410-1 and/or the second cover 410-2may include a light-transmissive material (e.g., plastic or glass). Theelectronic device 400 may include at least one light sensor (e.g., thelight sensor 440 in FIG. 5) disposed between the first cover 410-1 andthe second cover 410-2. The at least one light sensor may be disposed onat least a part of the rear surface of a display 430. Light that isoutput from the at least one light sensor may be emitted to the outsidepassing through the first cover 410-1. External light may pass throughthe first cover 410-1 and enter the at least one light sensor.

The bezel 410-3 includes a first metal frame 410-31 that connects thefirst edge 415-1 of the first cover 410-1 and the fifth edge 415-5 ofthe second cover 410-2. The bezel 410-3 includes a second metal frame410-32 that connects the second edge 415-2 of the first cover 410-1 andthe sixth edge 415-6 of the second cover 410-2. The bezel 410-3 includesa third metal frame 410-33 that connects the third edge 415-3 of thefirst cover 410-1 and the seventh edge 415-7 of the second cover 410-2.The bezel 410-3 includes a fourth metal frame 410-34 that connects thefourth edge 415-4 of the first cover 410-1 and the eighth edge 415-8 ofthe second cover 410-2.

A connection part of the first metal frame 410-31 and the third metalframe 410-33, a connection part of the first metal frame 410-31 and thefourth metal frame 410-34, a connection part of the second metal frame410-32 and the third metal frame 410-33, or a connection part of thesecond metal frame 410-32 and the fourth metal frame 410-34 may berounded.

The bezel 410-3 may include an extension unit extending from at leastone of the first metal frame 410-31, the second metal frame 410-32, thethird metal frame 410-33, and the fourth metal frame 410-34 to betweenthe first cover 410-1 and the second cover 410-2. The extension unit maybe combined with a printed circuit board (PCB) or a support member(e.g., a bracket).

At least one among the first metal frame 410-31, the second metal frame410-32, the third metal frame 410-33, and the fourth metal frame 410-34of the bezel 410-3 may include a plurality of metal parts physicallyseparated from each other. A non-conductive member may be disposedbetween the plurality of metal parts.

The first metal frame 410-31 of the bezel 410-3 includes metal frame a410-31 a, metal frame b 410-31 b, and metal frame c 410-31 c, which arephysically separated from each other. Metal frame b 410-31 b may bedisposed between metal frame a 410-31 a and metal frame c 410-31 c.

Metal frame a 410-31 a of the first metal frame 410-31 may be connectedto the third metal frame 410-33. Metal frame c 410-31 c of the firstmetal frame 410-31 may be connected to the fourth metal frame 410-34.Metal frame a 410-31 a and the third metal frame 410-33 may be formed ofan integrated metal. Metal frame c 410-31 c and the fourth metal frame410-34 may be formed of an integrated metal.

The housing 410 includes a first non-conductive member 441 disposedbetween metal frame a 410-31 a and metal frame b 410-31 b of the bezel410-3. The housing 410 includes a second non-conductive member 442disposed between metal frame b 410-31 b and metal frame c 410-31 c. Thefirst non-conductive member 441 and the second non-conductive member 442may be smoothly connected to the first metal frame 410-31 and may form apart of the third surface 4003 of the first housing 410. The firstnon-conductive member 441 and/or the second non-conductive member 442may extend from a non-conductive member disposed inside the housing 410.

A first gap between metal frame a 410-31 a and metal frame b 410-31 bmay be where the first non-conductive member 441 is filled. A second gapbetween metal frame b 410-31 b and metal frame c 410-31 c may be wherethe second non-conductive member 442 is filled. The width of the firstgap and the width of the second gap may be the same or different fromeach other.

The second metal frame 410-32 of the bezel 410-3 includes metal frame d410-32 d, metal frame e 410-32 e, and metal frame f 410-32 f, which arephysically separated from each other. Metal frame e 410-32 e may bedisposed between metal frame d 410-32 d and metal frame f 410-32 f.

Metal frame d 410-32 d, of the second metal frame 410-32, may beconnected to the third metal frame 410-33. Metal frame f 410-32 f of thesecond metal frame 410-32 may be connected to the fourth metal frame410-34. Metal frame d 410-32 d, the third metal frame 410-33, metalframe f 410-32 f and the fourth metal frame 410-34 may be formed of anintegrated metal.

The housing 410 includes a third non-conductive member 443 disposedbetween metal frame d 410-32 d and metal frame e 410-32 e of the bezel410-3. The housing 410 includes a fourth non-conductive member 444disposed between metal frame e 410-32 e and metal frame f 410-32 f. Thethird non-conductive member 443 and the fourth non-conductive member 444may be smoothly connected to the second metal frame 410-32 and may forma part of the third surface 4003 of the housing 410. The thirdnon-conductive member 443 and/or the fourth non-conductive member 444may extend from the non-conductive member disposed inside the housing410.

A third gap between metal frame d 410-32 d and metal frame e 410-32 emay be a part where the third non-conductive member 443 is filled. Afourth gap between metal frame e 410-32 e and metal frame f 410-32 f maybe a part where the fourth non-conductive member 444 is filled. Thewidth of the third gap and the width of the fourth gap may be the sameor different from each other.

The first surface 4001 includes a first edge area 415-11 adjacent to thefirst edge 415-1, a second edge area 415-21 adjacent to the second edge415-2, a third edge area 415-31 adjacent to the third edge 415-3, and afourth edge area 415-41 adjacent to the fourth edge 415-4. At least oneamong the first edge area 415-11, the second edge area 415-21, the thirdedge area 415-31, and the fourth edge area 415-41 may be an inclinedsurface. For example, the third edge area 415-31 may be a curved surfacehaving a shape descending in the second direction 40021 with respect tocoordinates increasing in a direction 40031 from the fourth metal frame410-34 to the third metal frame 410-33. The fourth edge area 415-41 maybe a curved surface having a shape descending in the second direction40021 with respect to coordinates increasing in a direction 40041 fromthe third metal frame 410-33 to the fourth metal frame 410-34.

The second surface 4002 includes a fifth edge area 415-51 adjacent tothe fifth edge 415-5, a sixth edge area 415-61 adjacent to the sixthedge 415-6, a seventh edge area 415-71 adjacent to the seventh edge415-7, and an eighth edge area 415-81 adjacent to the eighth edge 415-8.At least one among the fifth edge area 415-51, the sixth edge area415-61, the seventh edge area 415-71, and the eighth edge area 415-81may be an inclined surface.

When an edge part of the first cover 410-1 is formed in a curved shape,an edge area (e.g., the first edge area 415-11, the second edge area415-21, the third edge area 415-31, or the fourth edge area 415-41) ofthe first surface 4001 may have an inclined surface. When an edge partof the second cover 410-2 is formed in a curved shape, an edge area(e.g., the fifth edge area 415-51, the sixth edge area 415-61, theseventh edge area 415-71, or the eighth edge area 415-81) of the secondsurface 4002 may have an inclined surface.

The electronic device 400 includes the display 430 disposed in a spacebetween the first cover 410-1 and the second cover 410-2 of the housing410. The display 430 may be exposed to the outside through the firstcover 410-1.

The display 430 may have a size overlapping at least a part of an areaof the first surface 4001. The display 430 may have a size overlappingthe entire area of the first surface 4001, and the entire area of thefirst surface 4001 may be a screen of the electronic device 400.

The display 430 may include a display edge area overlapping an edge area(e.g., the first edge area 415-11, the second edge area 415-21, thethird edge area 415-31, or the fourth edge area 415-41) of the firstsurface 4001. When the edge area of the first surface 4001 is designedto be an inclined surface, the edge area of the display 430 may also becurved along the inclined surface of the first surface 4001.

The display 430 may include a touch sensing device for a touch inputand/or a hovering input. When a finger or a stylus is proximate (e.g.,10 mm or less) to the first surface 4001, the electronic device 400 maysense a touch input or a hovering input through the display 430.

The electronic device 400 may include at least one light sensor disposedbetween the display 430 and the second surface 4002. The display 430 isin the form of a plate and may include a top surface adjacent to thefirst cover 410-1 and a bottom surface (or a rear surface) adjacent tothe at least one light sensor.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of a structure including the display430 and the at least one light sensor 440, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display 430 includes a display top surface 4301facing a first direction 40011 (e.g., 40011 of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C).The display 430 includes a display bottom surface 4302 facing a seconddirection 40021.

The display top surface 4301 is substantially parallel to the firstsurface 4001 of the first cover 410-1 of FIG. 4A. The display bottomsurface 4302 is substantially parallel to the display top surface 4301.Hereinafter, when element A, element B, and element C are arranged inorder in the second direction 40021, it may be understood that element Ais disposed above element B, and element C is disposed below element B.

The at least one light sensor 440 may measure an intensity for variouswavelength bands of light, and the electronic device 400 mayquantitatively or qualitatively analyze a material by using datameasured by the at least one light sensor 440.

The at least one light sensor 440 is disposed below the display 430, asillustrated in FIG. 5. The at least one light sensor 440 is disposed onat least a part of the rear surface of the display 430. At least onelight sensor 440 is disposed adjacent (e.g., within 10 mm or less) tothe display bottom surface 4302. At least a part of the display 430 maybe designed to be transmissive to light.

The at least one light sensor 440 includes a light receiving unit 441and a light emitting unit 442. The light receiving unit 441 may receivelight (or a light signal) scattered or reflected from an object, and maygenerate an electrical signal (or a digital value) based on the receivedlight. The at least one light sensor 440 may include ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC may generate a detectionvalue (i.e., a digital value or an ADC value) corresponding to theamount of light received by the light receiving unit 441 (e.g.,quantization). The light output from the light emitting unit 442 may beemitted to the outside through the display 430.

The light receiving unit 441 may include one or more light detectors(e.g., sensors or photodiodes), capable of detecting light in one ormore wavelength bands.

The light receiving unit 441 may include a plurality of light detectorsthat may detect light in one or more wavelength bands different fromeach other. For example, one light detector may detect light in a firstwavelength band, and the other light detector may detect light in asecond wavelength band that is different from the first wavelength band.

According to various embodiments, the light receiving unit 441 mayinclude a plurality of light detectors, and the plurality of lightdetectors may detect light in one or more wavelength bands that are thesame or similar to each other. For example, one light detector maydetect light in a first wavelength band, and another light detector maydetect light in the first wavelength band as well as light in a secondwavelength band different from the first wavelength band. Still anotherlight detector may detect light in the first wavelength band as well aslight in a third wavelength band different from the first wavelengthband and second wavelength band. Still another light detector may detectlight in the first wavelength band as well as light in a fourthwavelength band different from the first wavelength band, secondwavelength band, and third wavelength band.

The light receiving unit 441 may detect light in a wavelength band forproximity detection (e.g., a maximum sensitivity wavelength 940 nm or950 nm). In a proximity detection mode, when an object (e.g., a userface) moves toward a first surface (e.g., 4001 in FIG. 4A) of theelectronic device 400 to the vicinity (e.g., 10 cm or less) of the atleast one light sensor 440, the light output from the light emittingunit 442 in the wavelength band for proximity detection, may bescattered or reflected from the object. The scattered or reflected lightin the wavelength band for proximity detection may enter the lightreceiving unit 441, which may generate an electrical signal relating tothe proximity of the object or a proximity distance of the object basedon the entered scattered or reflected light. For example, as thedistance between the at least one light sensor 440 and the objectdecreases, the amount of light that is scattered or reflected from theobject and then enters the light receiving unit 441 may increase and theADC value may also increase. As the distance between the at least onelight sensor 440 and the object increases, the amount of reflected lightentering the light receiving unit 441 and the ADC value may decrease.

The light receiving unit 441 may detect light in a wavelength band(e.g., a maximum sensitivity wavelength of 940 nm) for gesturedetection. In a gesture detection mode, when a user's hand moves near(e.g., within 10 cm) the first surface (e.g., 4001 in FIG. 4A) of theelectronic device 400, light in the wavelength band for gesturedetection, which is emitted from the light emitting unit 442, may bescattered or reflected from the user's hand. The scattered or reflectedlight in the wavelength band for gesture detection may enter the lightreceiving unit 441, and the light receiving unit 441 may generate anelectrical signal relating to a gesture of the user's hand based on theentered scattered or reflected light.

The light receiving unit 441 may detect light in a wavelength band forobject analysis.

For example, in a biometric detection mode, when the user's body movestoward the first surface of the electronic device 400 (e.g., 4001 inFIG. 4A) to the vicinity (e.g., 10 cm or less) of at least one lightsensor 440, light in a wavelength band for biometric detection, which isoutput from the light emitting unit 442, may be reflected by the user'sbody. The scattered or reflected light in the wavelength band forbiometric detection may enter the light receiving unit 441, and thelight receiving unit 441 may generate an electronic signal relating tobiometric information (e.g., skin moisture information, skin melanininformation, skin temperature information, heart rate information, bloodflow velocity information, or iris information) of the body of the userbased on the entered scarred or reflected light. The light receivingunit 441 may be designed to detect, in a skin moisture detection mode,light in a wavelength band having a maximum sensitivity wavelength of880 nm and/or a wavelength band having a maximum sensitivity wavelengthof 970 nm. The light receiving unit 441 may be designed to detect, in askin melanin detection mode, light in a wavelength band having a maximumsensitivity wavelength of 660 nm and/or a maximum sensitivity wavelengthof 880 nm. The light receiving unit 441 may be designed to detect, in anerythema detection mode, light in a wavelength band having a maximumsensitivity wavelength of 568 nm and/or a wavelength band having amaximum sensitivity wavelength of 880 nm. The light receiving unit 441may be designed to detect, in an iris recognition mode, light in acorresponding wavelength band. The light receiving unit 441 may bedesigned to detect, in a fingerprint recognition mode, light in acorresponding wavelength band.

The light receiving unit 441 may detect light in a wavelength band forexternal environment measurement. For example, the light receiving unit441 may receive external light and may generate an electrical signalrelating to the illuminance from the received external light in anilluminance detection mode.

The electronic device 400 may provide various detection modes, such as aproximity detection mode, a gesture detection mode, a biometricdetection mode, or an illumination detection mode. The detection modesmay include various dependent detection modes. The biometric detectionmode may be a skin moisture detection mode, a skin melanin detectionmode, or a skin temperature detection mode.

The electronic device 400 may provide multiple detection modes that maybe defined as a selection of a plurality of detection modes. Forexample, the multiple detection mode may include selection of theproximity detection mode and the biometric detection mode. The multipledetection mode may include selection of the illumination detection modeand the biometric detection mode. The multiple detection mode mayinclude a plurality of selections among dependent detection modes.

The electronic device 400 may selectively activate at least a part ofthe light receiving unit 441 in accordance with the selected detectionmode. In the proximity detection mode, a control circuit (e.g., theprocessor 120 in FIG. 1 or the processor 210 in FIG. 2) may select andactivate at least one light detector for proximity detection among theplurality of light detectors of the light receiving unit 441. In thebiometric detection mode, the control circuit may select and activate atleast one light detector for biometric detection among the plurality oflight detectors of the light receiving unit 441.

The light emitting unit 442 may include at least one light emitter (orlight source) capable of generating light in at least one wavelengthbands.

The light emitting unit 442 may include a light emitter capable ofgenerating light in all wavelength bands in which the light receivingunit 441 may detect light. The light emitting unit 442 may be designedto be a single light emitter capable of generating light in a broadwavelength band.

The light emitting unit 442 may be designed to selectively generatelight of a corresponding wavelength band in accordance with control ofthe control circuit (e.g., the processor 120 in FIG. 1 or the processor210 in FIG. 2). For example, in the proximity detection mode, thecontrol circuit may control the light emitting unit 442 to generatelight in a wavelength band for proximity detection. In the biometricdetection mode, the control unit may control the light emitting unit 442to generate light in a wavelength band for biometric detection.

The light emitting unit 442 may include a plurality of light emitters,and the plurality of light emitters may generate light in one or morewavelength bands different from each other. For example, one lightemitter may generate light in a first wavelength band, and another lightemitter may generate light in a second wavelength band different fromthe first wavelength band. In the proximity detection mode, the controlcircuit (e.g., the processor 120 in FIG. 1 or the processor 210 in FIG.2) may select and activate at least one light emitter that generateslight in a wavelength band for proximity detection among the pluralityof light emitters of the light emitting unit 442. In the biometricdetection mode, the control circuit may select and activate one or morelight emitters that generate light in a wavelength band for biometricdetection among the plurality of light emitters of the light emittingunit 442.

The light emitting unit 442 may include various forms of light emittingelements, such as a light emitting diode (LED).

The light sensor 440 may be provided as a single module (e.g., a systemin package (SIP)) of a package form.

The light receiving unit 441 and/or the light emitting unit 442 may bemounted on a PCB of the electronic device 400. One end of the lightreceiving unit 441 may be electrically connected to a ground of the PCBof the electronic device 400 and the other end of the light receivingunit 441 may be electrically connected to the control circuit. The lightreceiving unit 441 may detect light, generate (i.e., convert) anelectrical signal based on the detected light, and transmit thegenerated electrical signal to the control circuit.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, thedisplay 430 may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. Thedisplay 430 includes a first electrode 510, a second electrode 520, anorganic layer 530, and a switch 540. The first electrode 510 is disposedbelow the second electrode 520, and the organic layer 530 is disposedbetween the first electrode 510 and the second electrode 520. The firstelectrode 510 and the second electrode 520 may be in the form of a layerextending in a direction 4005 orthogonal to the first direction 40011 orthe second direction 40021 (hereinafter, referred to as a thirddirection). For example, referring to FIG. 4A, the third direction 4005may include a direction between the first metal frame 410-31 and thesecond metal frame 410-32, and a direction between the third metal frame410-33 and the fourth metal frame 410-34. The organic layer 530 isdeposited between the first electrode 510 and the second electrode 520.The organic layer 530 may have a thickness corresponding to a distance(100 to 200 nm) between the first electrode 510 and the second electrode520.

The first electrode 510 may be a cathode electrode, corresponding to acathode, and may emit an electron. For example, the first electrode 510may include Al, Si, Li, Ca, or Mg. The second electrode 520 may be ananode electrode, corresponding to an anode, and may emit a hole.

The second electrode 520 may have light transmittance. For example, thesecond electrode 520 may be an indium tin oxide (ITO) or an antimony tinoxide (ATO). As illustrated, the switch 540 is disposed below the firstelectrode 510, but is not disposed at a position in alignment with thefirst electrode 510.

When the switch 540 is turned on by the control circuit, a voltage isapplied to the first electrode 510 and the second electrode 520, andelectrons emitted from the first electrode 510 and holes emitted fromthe second electrode 520 are combined in the organic layer 530. Excitonenergy is generated due to a combination of the electrons and holes, andthe exciton energy is emitted in the form of light in the organic layer530.

The switch 540 may be a transistor, which may be a TFT. The TFT-typeswitch 540 includes a source electrode 541, a drain electrode 542, agate electrode 543, and a semiconductor layer 544. The source electrode541 may be an electrode for supplying an electron. The drain electrode542 may be an electrode to which an electron is supplied. The gateelectrode 543 may be an electrode for switching electron movement fromthe source electrode 541 to the drain electrode 542. The semiconductorlayer 544 may be a path through which the electron moves when the gateelectrode 543 applies a predetermined voltage or higher. Thesemiconductor layer 544, as an element that turns the switch 540 on, maybe defined as an “active layer” or “active area” of the switch 540.

When a signal (e.g., a voltage) having a value equal to a thresholdvalue or greater is applied to the gate electrode 543, the semiconductorlayer 544 (e.g., a silicon layer) may become capable of moving anelectron like a conductor, and an electron may be moved from the sourceelectrode 541 to the drain electrode 542 through the semiconductor layer544. Voltage may be applied to the first electrode 510 and the secondelectrode 520 (ON state) due to the movement of the electron. Whenvoltage is applied to the first electrode 510 and the second electrode520, the electron emitted from the first electrode 510 and the holeemitted from the second electrode 520 are combined, whereby light may begenerated in the organic layer 530. When a forward voltage is applied tothe switch 540, current flows to the organic layer 530, and an organiclight emitting material of the organic layer 530 may emit light. As thecurrent flowing to the organic layer 530 increases, the organic layer530 may emit brighter light. When a reverse voltage is applied to theswitch 540, the current does not substantially flow to the organic layer530, and the organic layer 530 may not be able to emit light.

The display 430 may provide a plurality of pixels (or picture elements)according to resolution. A pixel may be defined as a dot that is aminimum unit for representing an image. The second electrode 520 may bedesigned as a common electrode for a plurality of pixels. The firstelectrode 510 and the organic layer 530 may be elements 5300(hereinafter, referred to as a pixel layer) for one pixel. The pixelsize 53001 may be defined by the size of the pixel layer 5300 extendingin the third direction 4005. The display 430 may include a plurality ofpixel layers disposed below the second electrode 520. The plurality ofpixel layers may be uniform in shape and arranged in the third direction4005. The display 430 may generate light using the single secondelectrode 520 and the plurality of pixel layers.

The second electrode 520 is disposed on a first virtual surface 4303disposed between the display top surface 4301 and the first electrode510. The second electrode 520 may be in a shape that conforms to atleast a part of the first virtual surface 4303. For example, the atleast part of the first virtual surface 4303 may be a plane extendinggenerally in the third direction 4005, and the second electrode 520 maybe a flat plate extending along the at least part of the first virtualsurface 4303. In another example, the at least a part of the firstvirtual surface 4303 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface, andthe second electrode 520 may be an inclined plate or a curved plateextending along the at least part of the first virtual surface 4303.

The second electrode 520 may be a layer extending in the third direction4005 so as to cover a plurality of pixel layers. For example, the secondelectrode 520 may include a second electrode top surface 5201 facing thefirst direction 40011, and a second electrode bottom surface 5202 facingthe second direction 40021. A plurality of pixel layers may be coupledto the second electrode bottom surface 5202, or the first virtualsurface 4303.

The display 430 may be a type in which one switch 540 is provided toeach pixel. The display 430 may be an active matrix organic lightemitting diode (AMOLED) display. The electronic device 400 mayindividually control whether each pixel emits light, by using eachswitch 540. The display 430 may be a passive matrix organic lightemitting diodes (PMOLED).

Accordingly, the structures of the first electrode 510, the secondelectrode 520, the organic layer 530, and the switch 540 may vary.

The first electrode 510 may be disposed on a second virtual surface 4304between the second electrode bottom surface 5202 and the display bottomsurface 4302. The first electrode 510 may be in a shape in accordancewith at least a part of the second virtual surface 4304. For example,the at least part of the second virtual surface 4304 may be a planeextending in the third direction 4005, and the first electrode 510 maybe a flat plate extending along the at least part of the second virtualsurface 4304. The at least part of the second virtual surface 4304 maybe an inclined surface or a curved surface, and the first electrode 510may be a curved plate or an inclined plate extending along at least apart of the second virtual surface 4304. The first electrode 510 mayhave various shapes, such as a quadrangle and a circle, when viewed inthe second direction 40021.

The size 5101 of the first electrode 510 extending in the thirddirection 4005 may be equal to the size of the organic layer 530. Whenviewed in the second direction 40021, the organic layer 530 may have asize capable of covering the first electrode 510. The size 5101 of thefirst electrode 510 extending in the third direction 4005 may bedesigned to be smaller or larger than the organic layer 530.

The source electrode 541 and/or the drain electrode 542 are disposed ona third virtual surface 4305 between the second virtual surface 4304 andthe display bottom surface 4302. The source electrode 520 and/or thesecond electrode 542 may be in a shape in accordance with at least apart of the third virtual surface 4305. For example, the at least partof the third virtual surface 4305 may be a plane extending generally inthe third direction 4005, and the source electrode 541 and/or the drainelectrode 542 may be a flat plate extending along the at least part ofthe third virtual surface 4305. The at least part of the third virtualsurface 4305 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface, and thesource electrode 541 and/or the drain electrode 542 may be a curvedplate or an inclined plate extending along the at least part of thethird virtual surface 4305.

The gate electrode 543 is disposed on a fourth virtual surface 4306between the second virtual surface 4304 and the display bottom surface4302. The fourth virtual surface 4306 is located between the thirdvirtual surface 4305 and the display bottom surface 4302. The gateelectrode 543 may be in a shape that conforms to at least a part of thefourth virtual surface 4306. For example, the at least part of thefourth virtual surface 4306 may be a plane extending generally in thethird direction 4005, and the gate electrode 543 may be a flat plateextending along the at least part of the fourth virtual surface 4306.The at least a part of the fourth virtual surface 4306 may be aninclined or curved surface, and the gate electrode 543 may be aninclined or curved plate extending along the at least part of the fourthvirtual surface 4306.

The semiconductor layer 544 is disposed between the second virtualsurface 4304 and the display bottom surface 4302. For example, thesemiconductor layer 544 is disposed between on a fifth virtual surface4307 between the fourth virtual surface 4306 and the display lowersurface 4302.

The semiconductor layer 544 may be in a shape in accordance with atleast a part of the fifth virtual surface 4307. For example, the atleast part of the fifth virtual surface 4307 may be a plane extendinggenerally in the third direction 4005, and the semiconductor layer 544may be a flat plate extending along the at least part of the fifthvirtual surface 4307. The at least part of the fifth virtual surface4307 may be an inclined surface or a curved surface, and thesemiconductor layer 544 may be an inclined layer or a curved layerextending along the at least part of the fifth virtual surface 4307.

The semiconductor layer 544 is disposed between the fourth virtualsurface 4306 and the fifth virtual surface 4307.

The display 430 may include at least one insulating layer disposedbetween the first virtual surface 4303 and the fifth virtual surface4307. The at least one insulating layer may include a variety ofinsulating materials and may prevent leakage of current betweenelements.

The display 430 includes a first insulating layer 571 disposed betweenthe first virtual surface 4303 and the second virtual surface 4304. Thefirst insulating layer 571 may be formed between a plurality of pixellayers. For example, the insulating layer 571 may be in a form in whichspaces between the plurality of pixel layers are filled with aninsulating material. The plurality of pixel layers may be insulated fromeach other by the insulating layer 571. At least a part of the firstinsulating layer 571 may include a light-transmissive material.

The display 430 includes a second insulating layer 572 disposed betweenthe second virtual surface 4304 and the third virtual surface 4305. Thesecond insulating layer 572 may be in a form in which spaces between thesecond virtual surface 4304 and the third virtual surface 4305 arefilled with an insulating material.

The display 430 includes a third insulating layer 573 disposed betweenthe third virtual surface 4305 and the fourth virtual surface 4306. Thethird insulating layer 573 may be in a form in which space between thethird virtual surface 4305 and the fourth virtual surface 4306 is filledwith an insulating material.

The display 430 includes a fourth insulating layer 574 disposed betweenthe fourth virtual surface 4306 and the fifth virtual surface 4307. Thefourth insulating layer 574 may be in a form in which the fourth virtualsurface 4306 and the fifth virtual surface 4307 is filled with aninsulating material.

At least one of the second insulating layer 572, the third insulatinglayer 573, and the fourth insulating layer 574 may prevent currentleakage from the gate electrode 543 to the source electrode 541 and/orthe drain electrode 542.

As illustrated, the first electrode 510 is electrically connected to thedrain electrode 542. The first electrode 510 includes an extension unit511 extending to the drain electrode 542, and the first electrode 510 iselectrically connected with the drain electrode 542 through theextension unit 511. The extension unit 511 may be designed in variousforms of passing through the second insulation layer 572. The firstelectrode 510 may be electrically connected to the source electrode 541,instead of the drain electrode 542. At least a part of the thirdinsulating layer 573 may include a light-transmissive material.

The source electrode 541 is electrically connected to the semiconductorlayer 544. The source electrode 541 includes an extension unit 5411extending to the semiconductor layer 544, and the source electrode 541is electrically connected with the semiconductor layer 544 through theextension unit 5411. The extension unit 5411 may be designed in variousforms of passing through the third insulation layer 573 and the fourthinsulation layer 574.

The drain electrode 542 is electrically connected to the semiconductorlayer 544. The drain electrode 542 includes an extension unit 5421extending to the semiconductor layer 544, and the drain electrode 542 iselectrically connected with the semiconductor layer 544 through theextension unit 5421. The extension unit 5421 may be designed in variousforms of passing through the third insulation layer 573 and the fourthinsulation layer 574.

When viewed in the cross section, the gate electrode 543 is disposedbetween the extension unit 5411 of the source electrode 541 and theextension unit 5421 of the drain electrode 542.

The display 430 includes a first substrate 581 that forms the displaybottom surface 4302. The first substrate 581 may be formed of plastic,metal, carbon fiber, other fiber composites, ceramics, glass, or acombination thereof. At least a part of the first substrate 581 mayinclude a light-transmissive material.

The display 430 includes a buffer layer 591 disposed between the firstsubstrate 581 and the semiconductor layer 544. The fifth virtual surface4307 and a semiconductor layer 544 are formed by the buffer layer 591.The buffer layer 591 may be formed of plastic, metal, carbon fiber,other fiber composites, ceramics, glass, or a combination thereof. Thebuffer layer 591 may be formed of silicon oxide or silicon nitride. Atleast a part of the buffer layer 591 may include a light-transmissivematerial.

The display 430 includes a protection layer 592 disposed between thebuffer layer 591 and the first substrate 581. The protection layer 592may be formed of plastic, metal, carbon fiber, other fiber composites,ceramics, glass, or a combination thereof. At least a part of theprotection layer 592 may include a light-transmissive material.

The display 430 includes a second substrate 582 disposed on the secondelectrode 520.

The second substrate 582 may form the display top surface 4301. Thesecond substrate 582 may be plastic, metal, carbon fiber, other fibercomposites, ceramics, glass, or a combination thereof.

At least a part of the second substrate 582 may include alight-transmissive material.

At least a part of the display 430 may be curved. In FIG. 4A, when theedge part of the first cover 410-1 is curved shape, at least one pixellayer 5300 included in an edge area of the display 430 and at least apart of the second electrode 520 may also be in a curved form.

A part 4421 of light output from the light emitting unit 442 of the atleast one light sensor 440 may be emitted to the outside through thedisplay 430. The part 4422 of light output from the light emitting unit442 of the at least one light sensor 440 may travel toward at least apart of the switch 540. A part 4423 of the light output from the lightemitting unit 442 of the at least one light sensor 440 may travel towardat least a part of the pixel layer 5300.

The display 430 may include at least one element (hereinafter, a lightblocking element) for blocking light, output from the light emittingunit 442 of the at least one light sensor 440, from entering at least apart of the switch 540. The light blocking element may reduce theelectrical influence of light (or light energy) output from the lightemitting unit 442 on the display 430. For example, at least a part ofthe switch 540 is blocked from being excited (or electron-excited) bythe light output from the light-emitting unit 442, so that current isnot leaked to the at least part of the switch 540 (e.g., thesemiconductor layer 544). When no light blocking element is provided,current may be leaked to the at least part of the switch 540 by thelight output from the light emitting unit 442, whereby light may begenerated in the pixel layer 5300.

The at least one light blocking element may be designed to prevent lightoutput from the light emitting unit 442 from being transferred to thesemiconductor layer 544 of the switch 540. When viewed in the crosssection, the semiconductor layer includes a semiconductor top surface5441 facing the first direction 40011, a semiconductor bottom surface5442 facing the second direction 40021, and semiconductor side surfaces5443 and 5444 that face the third direction 4005.

At least one light blocking element may cover the semiconductor bottomsurface 5442, the semiconductor side surfaces 5443, and/or thesemiconductor top surface 5441.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are diagrams for describing a structure of thelight blocking element, according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, when viewed in the cross section, atleast one light blocking element is a layer extending in the thirddirection 4005 to cover the semiconductor bottom surface 5442 of thesemiconductor layer 544.

In FIG. 6A, a light blocking layer 601 is disposed between the fifthvirtual surface 4307 and the protection layer 592. The fifth virtualsurface 4307 may be a plane extending in the third direction 4005, andthe light blocking layer 601 may form a part of the fifth virtualsurface 4307.

The semiconductor layer 544 is disposed on the light blocking layer 601.When viewed in the first direction 40011, the light blocking layer 601is formed to have a size 6011 corresponding to the third direction 4005such that the semiconductor layer 544 is covered. The light blockinglayer 601 may block light 4422, that is output from the light emittingunit 442 of the at least one light sensor 440, from entering thesemiconductor bottom surface 5442 of the semiconductor layer 544.

The fourth insulating layer 574 is formed between the fourth virtualsurface 4306 and the fifth virtual surface 4307 in such a manner that aspace except for the extension unit 5411 of the source electrode 541,the extension unit 5421 of the drain electrode 542, and thesemiconductor layer 544 is filled with a material. The buffer layer 591may be formed between the fifth virtual surface 4307 and the protectionlayer 592 in such a manner that a space except for the light blockinglayer 601 is filled with a material. The buffer layer 591 may bedesigned to be an element that includes the light blocking layer 601.

In FIG. 6B, a light blocking layer 602 is disposed between thesemiconductor layer 544 and the fifth virtual surface 4307. The lightblocking layer 602 may be disposed on the fifth virtual surface 4307,and the semiconductor layer 544 may be disposed on the light blockinglayer 602. The fifth virtual surface 4307 may be a plane extending inthe third direction 4005. When viewed in the first direction 40011, thelight blocking layer 602 is formed to have a size 6021 corresponding tothe third direction 4005 such that the semiconductor layer 544 iscovered. The light blocking layer 602 may block light 4422, that isoutput from the light emitting unit 442 of the at least one light sensor440, from entering the semiconductor bottom surface 5442 of thesemiconductor layer 544.

The fourth insulating layer 574 is formed between the fourth virtualsurface 4306 and the fifth virtual surface 4307 in such a manner that aspace except for the extension unit 5411 of the source electrode 541,the extension unit 5421 of the drain electrode 542, the semiconductorlayer 544, and the light blocking layer 602, is filled with a material.The fourth insulating layer 574 may be an element that includes thelight blocking layer 601.

In FIG. 6C, a light blocking layer 603 includes a layer top surface 6032facing the first direction 40011 and a layer bottom surface 6033 facingthe second direction 40021. When viewed in the first direction 40011,the light blocking layer 603 is formed to have a size 6031 correspondingto the third direction 4005 such that the semiconductor layer 544 iscovered. When viewed in the cross section, the fifth virtual surface4307 is disposed between the layer top surface 6032 and the layer bottomsurface 6033. The light blocking layer 603 may include a layer top area60321 formed between the layer top surface 6032 and the fifth virtualsurface 4307, and a layer bottom area 60331 formed between the fifthvirtual surface 4307 and the layer bottom surface 6033. The lightblocking layer 603 may block the light 4422, that is output from thelight emitting unit 442 of the at least one light sensor 440, fromentering the semiconductor bottom surface 5442 of the semiconductorlayer 544.

The fourth insulating layer 574 is formed between the fourth virtualsurface 4306 and the fifth virtual surface 4307 in such a manner that aspace except for the extension unit 5411 of the source electrode 541,the extension unit 5421 of the drain electrode 542, the semiconductorlayer 544, and the layer top area 60321 of the light blocking layer 603,is filled with a material. The buffer layer 591 is formed between thefifth virtual surface 4307 and the protection layer 592 in such a mannerthat a space except for a layer bottom area 60422 of the light blockinglayer 603 is filled with a material.

Referring to FIG. 6D, when viewed in the cross-section, at least onelight blocking element is a layer 604 extended to cover not only thesemiconductor bottom surface 5442 of the semiconductor layer 544 butalso the semiconductor side surfaces 5443 and 5444. A light blockinglayer 604 may block the light 4422, that is output from the lightemitting unit 442 of the at least one light sensor 440, from enteringthe semiconductor bottom surface 5442 of the semiconductor layer 544.The light blocking layer 604 may block the light 4424, that is outputfrom the light emitting portion 442 of at least one light sensor 440,from entering the semiconductor side surfaces 5443 and 5444 of thesemiconductor layer 544.

In order to block light, output from the light emitting unit 442, fromentering at least a part (e.g., the semiconductor layer 544) of theswitch 540, at least one light blocking element may be installed atvarious other positions. For example, at least one light blockingelement may be disposed between the buffer layer 591 and the protectionlayer 592. In another example, at least one light blocking element maybe disposed between the protection layer 592 and the first substrate581. In yet another example, at least one light blocking element may bedisposed below the first substrate 581 and between the first substrate581 and the light emitting unit 442.

At least one light blocking element may be included in at least oneamong the fourth insulating layer 574, the buffer layer 591, theprotection layer 592, or the first substrate 581. The buffer layer 591may include the light blocking layer that covers the semiconductorbottom surface 5442 of the semiconductor layer 544.

The display 430 may include at least one light blocking element forblocking the light 4423, that is output from the light emitting unit 442of at least one light sensor 440, from entering at least a part of thepixel layer 5300. The light blocking element may reduce the electricalinfluence of light (or light energy) output from the light emitting unit442 on the display 430. The at least one light blocking element may beone or more layers disposed between the pixel layer 5300 and the lightemitting unit 442.

FIG. 7 is a display including a light blocking element, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display 430 includes a substrate 710, aplurality of gate lines 720 and a plurality of data lines 730, which areinstalled on the substrate 710. The plurality of gate lines 720 may bearranged in the x-axis direction, and the plurality of data lines may bearranged in the y-axis direction.

Referring to FIG. 5, the substrate 710 includes layers between the thirdvirtual surface 4305 and the display bottom surface 4302 in the display430. The plurality of gate lines 720 may transfer a scan signal or agate signal. The display 430 includes the switch 540 installed at aposition 723 where the plurality of gate lines 720 and the plurality ofdata lines 730 intersect. The display 430 includes elements between thethird virtual surface 4305 and the display top surface 4301.

Agate electrode 543 of the switch 540 is electrically connected withagate line 720-N. A source electrode 541 of the switch 540 iselectrically connected with a data line 730-N, and the drain electrode542 of the switch 540 may be electrically connected with a firstelectrode 510. The source electrode 541 or the drain electrode 542 ofswitch 540 is electrically connected with the data line of the firstelectrode 510.

The display 430 includes a light emission transmissive area 752 throughwhich light emitted from the light emitting unit of the at least onelight sensor 440 (e.g., 442 in FIG. 5) is emitted to the outside. Thedisplay 430 includes a light reception transmissive area 751 throughwhich external light passes when entering a light receiving unit 441 ofthe at least one light sensor 440. The display 430 may include a lightblocking element (e.g., 601 in FIG. 6A, 602 in FIG. 6B, 603 in FIG. 6C,or 604 in FIG. 6D) which blocks light, output from the light emittingunit 442, from entering the semiconductor layer 544 of the switch 540installed in the light emission transmissive area 752. The lightemission transmissive area 752 or the light reception transmissive area751 are not limited to a rectangular area, as illustrated in drawings,but may have, various shapes or ranges based on at least one lightsensor 440.

The size or shape of the light reception transmissive area 751 may bethe same as or different from that of the light emission transmissivearea 752.

The light reception transmissive area 751 may be separated from thelight emission transmissive area 752. Referring to FIG. 4A, the firstedge area 415-11 adjacent to the first edge 415-1 includes a first lighttransmissive area 451 at a position arranged vertically to the lightreception transmissive area 751. The first edge area 415-11 adjacent tothe first edge 415-1 includes a second light transmissive area 452 at aposition arranged vertically to the light emission transmissive area 752of the display 430. Light output from the light emitting unit 442 may beemitted to the outside through the light emission transmissive area 752of the display 430 and the second light transmissive area 452 of thefirst surface 4001. Light from the outside may enter the light receivingunit 441 through the first light transmissive area 451 of the firstsurface 4001 and the light reception transmissive area 751 of thedisplay 430.

The light reception transmissive area 751 may be designed to overlap atleast a part of the light emission transmissive area 752. The firstsurface 4001 may include a first transmissive area arranged verticallywith respect to the light reception transmissive area 751 of the display430 and a second transmissive area arranged vertically with respect tothe light emission transmissive area 752 of the display 430. The firsttransmissive area of the first surface 4001 may overlap at least a partof the second transmissive area. The light from the light emitting unit442 may be emitted to the outside, and the external light may enter thelight receiving unit 441 through the overlapping area of the lightreception transmissive area 751 and the light emission transmissive area752 of the display 430. The light from the light emitting unit 442 maybe emitted to the outside, and the external light may enter the lightreceiving unit 441 through the overlapping area of the firsttransmissive area and the second transmissive area of the first surface4001.

The electronic device 400 may include various types of components usingthe bezel 410-3. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the bezel 410-3 (e.g.,the second metal frame 410-32) may include a plurality of through-holes4191 for supporting a speaker. Sound from the speaker, mounted insidethe housing 410, may be emitted to the outside through the plurality ofthrough-holes 4191. The bezel 410-3 may include a through-hole 4193 forsupporting a microphone.

Sound from the outside may be transferred to the microphone, mountedinside the housing 410, through the through-hole 4193. The bezel 410-3may include a through-hole 4192 for supporting a connector of anexternal device. The connector of the external device may be connectedto a connector, mounted inside the housing 410, through the through-hole4192. The bezel 410-3 (e.g., the third metal frame 410-33 or the fourthmetal frame 410-34) may include a through-hole to support the button4397.

The electronic device 400 may include various buttons installed in thethrough-holes formed on the first surface 4001. When a button is pressedin the second direction 40021, an electrical signal may be generatedfrom a component (e.g., a switch) functionally connected to the button.

When viewed in the second direction 40021, the electronic device 400includes a hardware home button disposed near the second edge 415-2.When viewed in the second direction 40021, there is a space between thesecond edge 415-2 and the display 430, and a hardware home button may beinstalled in this space. The display 430 may not extend to the secondedge area 415-21 of the first surface 4001. The first cover 410-1 mayinclude a through-hole formed in the second edge area 415-21. Thethrough-hole may be formed at a position in alignment with the hardwarehome button. The hardware home button may be coupled to thethrough-hole, and the top of the hardware home button may be exposed tothe outside.

When the display 430 extends to the second edge area 415-21, theelectronic device 400 may display a software home button 417 thatreplaces the hardware home button on the screen. The electronic device400 may display the software home button 417 in the second edge area415-21. When the software home button 417 is selected by a touch inputor a hovering input, the electronic device 400 may display a main homescreen. The main home screen may be a first screen displayed on thedisplay 430 when the electronic device 400 is turned on. When aplurality of home screens are provided in a switchable page form, themain home screen may be a first home screen among the plurality of homescreens. The home screen may display icons, time or date, for executingapplications. The home screen may display a state of the electronicdevice 400, such as a battery charge state, a received signal strength,or current time. When the software home button 417 is selected by atouch input or a hovering input, the electronic device 400 may enterasleep mode or a low power mode. In the sleep mode or the low powermode, the electronic device 400 may only perform set basic operations,such as periodically listening to an external radio signal. In the sleepmode or low power mode, the electronic device 400 may include anoperation of deactivating at least one element (e.g., the display 430).The sleep mode or low power mode may include an operation ofdeactivating at least a part of a processor (e.g., processor 120 in FIG.1 or processor 210 in FIG. 2). When the software home button 417 isselected by a touch input or a hovering input, the electronic device 400may be switched from the sleep or lower power mode to a wake-up mode. Inthe wake-up mode, the electronic device 400 may activate the display430.

The electronic device 400 may display an indicator that indicatesvarious states of the electronic device 400 on the screen. The displayposition of the indicator may differ. When the screen is designed toextend to the first edge area 415-11, the electronic device 400 maydisplay the indicator in the first edge area 415-11. When the remainingbattery power is insufficient, the electronic device 400 may display theindicator. The electronic device 400 may display the indicator only whenthe screen is turned off. When the electronic device 400 is connected toa wired or wireless charger, the electronic device 400 may display theindicator. The electronic device 400 may display the indicator invarious forms or colors, depending on various states of the electronicdevice 400.

The electronic device 400 may include a receiver for outputting a soundthat is a voice signal received from a counterpart device during a call.When viewed in the second direction 40021, there is a space between thefirst edge 415-1 and the display 430, and the receiver may be installedin this space. The display 430 may be designed not to extend to thefirst edge area 415-11 of the first surface 4001. The first cover 410-1may include a through-hole formed in the first edge area 415-11 of thefirst surface 4001. The through-hole may be formed at a position inalignment with the receiver. Sound from the receiver may be emittedthrough the through-hole formed in the first edge area 415-11.

When the display 430 is designed to extend to the first edge area415-11, an installation structure of the receiver may be altered. A holefor emitting sound from the receiver may be formed in the first metalframe 410-31 and may be in alignment with the hole in the first metalframe 410-31. The first metal frame 410-31 may include a groove formedin a part adjacent to the first edge 415-1 of the first cover 410-1.When the first cover 410-1 and the first metal frame 410-31 are coupled,the groove may be a hole for the receiver. The display 430 may bedisposed between the first cover 410-1 and the receiver.

When the display 430 is designed to extend to the first edge area415-11, a bone conduction-type receiver may be mounted on the electronicdevice 400. When a bone conduction-type receiver is installed, the holefor emitting sound from the receiver may be omitted. The electronicdevice 400 may include a front camera. For example, when viewed in thesecond direction 40021, there is a space between the first edge 415-1and the display 430, and the front camera may be installed in thisspace. The display 430 may be designed not to extend to the first edgearea 415-11 of the first surface 4001. The first cover 410-1 may includea light transmissive area formed in the first edge area 415-11 of thefirst surface 4001. The light transmissive area may be formed at aposition in alignment with the front camera. The external light mayenter the front camera through the light transmissive area of the firstedge area 415-11 and the front camera may capture an image.

When the display 430 (or screen) is designed to extend to the first edgearea 415-11, the position of the front camera may be changed. Thedisplay 430 may be designed not to extend to the second edge area415-21, and the front camera may be installed in alignment with thelight emission transmissive area formed in the second edge area 415-21.

The electronic device 400 may include a rear camera 4291. The secondcover 410-2 may include a through-hole. The through hole may be formedat position in alignment with the rear camera 4291. The rear camera 4291may be coupled to the through-hole of the second cover 410-2. Theelectronic device 400 may include a flash 4292 disposed near the rearcamera 4291 and coupled to another through-hole of the second cover410-2.

The electronic device 400 may be designed to include various othercomponents that are not shown.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F are diagrams for describing aproduction flow for molding the light blocking element, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a process is performed in which a lightblocking layer 820 is deposited on a substrate 810. A buffer layer 830is deposited on the light blocking layer 820. The light blocking layer820 is disposed between the substrate 810 and the buffer layer 830. Thelight blocking layer 820 may include a light shielding material, such asmetal.

Referring to FIG. 8C, a process of depositing an a-Si layer 840 on thebuffer layer 830 is performed. The a-Si layer 840 is coupled to thebuffer layer 830 using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PECVD). The buffer layer 830 is disposed between the a-Si layer 840 andthe light blocking layer 820.

Referring to FIG. 8D, a process of dehydrogenating the a-Si layer 840 isperformed.

When the a-Si layer 840 is annealed to about 450 degrees, hydrogenincluded in the a-Si layer 840 is released into the air, and thedehydrogenated a-Si layer 841 is formed.

Referring to FIG. 8E, a process of crystallizing the dehydrogenated a-Silayer 841 is performed. A poly-Si layer 842 is formed through excimerlaser annealing (ELA). The ELA may be a process of crystallizing thedehydrogenated a-Si layer 841 using a linear laser.

Referring to FIG. 8F, a process of patterning (or photolithography) thepoly-Si layer 842 to form an active layer 843 (e.g., the semiconductorlayer 544 in FIG. 5) is performed. The light blocking layer 820 mayblock light, output from the light emitting unit 442 of the lightsensor, from entering the activation layer 843.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G, and 9H are diagrams for describing aproduction flow for molding the light blocking element, according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a process in which a buffer layer 920 isdeposited on a substrate 910 is performed.

Referring to FIG. 9C, a process in which a light blocking layer 930 isdeposited on the buffer layer 920 is performed. The buffer layer 920 isdisposed between the substrate 910 and the first light blocking layer930.

Referring to FIG. 9D, a process of depositing an a-Si layer 940 on thefirst light blocking layer 930 is performed. The a-Si layer 940 iscoupled to the first light blocking layer 930 using PECVD. The firstlight blocking layer 930 is disposed between the buffer layer 920 andthe a-Si layer 940.

Referring to FIG. 9E, a process of dehydrogenating the a-Si layer 940 isperformed.

When the a-Si layer 940 is annealed to about 450 degrees, hydrogenincluded in the a-Si layer 940 may be released into the air, and adehydrated a-Si layer 941 is formed.

Referring to FIG. 9F, a process of crystallizing the dehydrogenated a-Silayer 941 is performed. The poly-Si layer 942 is formed through ELA. TheELA may be a process of crystallizing the dehydrogenated a-Si layer 941using a linear laser.

Referring to FIG. 9G, a process of patterning (or photolithography) thepoly-Si layer 942 to form an activation layer 943 (e.g., thesemiconductor layer 544 in FIG. 5) is performed. A process of patterningthe first light blocking layer 930 is performed. The activation layer943 includes a top surface 9431 in a first direction 9001 facing fromthe substrate 910 to the buffer layer 920. The activation layer 943includes a bottom surface 9432 facing a second direction 9002 that isopposite the first direction 9001. When viewed in the first direction9001, the patterned first light blocking layer 931 may cover theactivation layer 943.

Referring to FIG. 9H, a process of forming a second light blocking layer933 that surrounds a side surface 9433 of the activation layer 940 isperformed. The second light blocking layer 933 is coupled to thepatterned first light blocking layer 931. The second light blockinglayer 933 may be formed through deposition and patterning.

The first light blocking layer 931 may block light, output from thelight emitting unit 442 of the light sensor, from being transferred tothe bottom surface 9432 of the activation layer 943. The second lightblocking layer 933 may block the light, output from the light emittingunit of the light sensor 442, from being transferred to the side surface9433 of the activation layer 943.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the electronic device that provides alight detection function, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. An electronic device 1000 may include all or a part of theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1, the electronic device 201 of FIG. 2, orthe electronic device 400 of FIG. 4A.

The electronic device 1000 includes a light detection device 1040 and adisplay 1030.

The light detection device 1040 and the display 1030 include at least apart of the structure 500 of FIG. 5. For example, the light detectiondevice 1040 may be positioned below or beneath the display 1030, asshown in FIG. 5. The light detection device 1040 may be disposed on atleast a part of a rear side of the display 1030. At least a part of thedisplay 1030 may be designed to be transmissive to light. The lightdetection device 1040 may include a light receiving unit 1041 and alight emitting unit 1042. The light receiving unit 1041 may receivelight (or a light signal) scattered or reflected from an object, andgenerate an electrical signal (or a digital value) based on the receivedlight. The light output from the light emitting unit 1042 may be emittedto the outside through the display 1030. The external light may passthrough the display 1030 and enter the light receiving unit 1041.

The electronic device 1000 may include a light blocking element forreducing the electrical influence of light output from the lightemitting unit 1042 on the display 1030. The light blocking element maybe disposed inside the display 1030. As described with reference toFIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the light blocking element may block light,output from at least one light source of the light emitting unit 1042,from entering at least one switch for turning on/off at least one pixelof the display 1030. Since the light blocking element blocks light (orlight energy), output from the light emitting unit 1042 of the lightdetection device 1040, from entering the display 1030, a malfunction(e.g., a spot) of the display 1030, due to the light output from thelight emitting unit 1042 of the light detection device 1040, may beprevented.

In order to lower the visibility of a spot generated on the display 1030by the light output from the light emitting unit 1042 of the lightdetection device 1040, the electronic device 1000 may control the lightemitting unit 1042 of the light detection device 1040 and/or the display1030. The electronic device 1000 may adjust the display 1030 to expressan area of the display 1030, corresponding to the light emitting unit1042 of the light detection device 1040, in a dark color (e.g., a blackcolor). When an image is displayed on the display 1030, the electronicdevice 1000 may adjust the light emitting unit to output light of atleast one wavelength band in an interval in which the pixel is turnedoff for a time in a frame. The electronic device 1000 may adjust thedisplay 1030 to deactivate an area of the display 1030, corresponding toa position in alignment with at least one light source of the lightemitting unit 1042 of the light detection device 1040. The electronicdevice 1000 may adjust the display 1030 to display a black color in anarea of the display 1030, corresponding to a position in alignment withat least one light source of the light emitting unit 1042 of the lightdetection device 1040.

Electronic device 1000 may adjust a light output power level of at leastone light source of light emitting unit 1042 to improve powerconsumption of the electronic device 1000. Electronic device 1000 mayadjust the light output power level of the at least one light source oflight emitting unit 1042 based on a selected, executed or activated,detection mode (e.g. proximity detection mode).

Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device 1000 includes a storage unit1020, a light detection device 1040, and a control unit 1001.

The storage unit 1020 may store data or application programs, andalgorithms, that correspond to basic operating systems required foroperating the electronic device 1000 and user functions. According to anembodiment, the control unit 1001 may be electrically connected to thestorage 1020, and perform operations of the electronic device 1000 byusing instructions and/or information included in the storage unit 1020.

The storage unit 1020 includes a display driving instruction 1021 and alight detection device driving instruction 1022.

The display driving instruction 1021 may include instructions foradjustment of the display 1030 when a screen is displayed.

The display driving instruction 1021 may include an activation routineof selectively activating at least one of a plurality of pixels of thedisplay 1030. For example, the display 1030 may include an AMOLEDdisplay 430 that installs one switch 540 per pixel. According to thedisplay driving instruction 1021, the control unit 1001 may control aswitch 540 to adjust whether to activate a pixel. When the switch 540 isturned on, the pixel may emit light, which may be defined as “pixel-on”.When the switch 540 is turned off, the pixel may not emit light, whichmay be defined as a “pixel-off”.

The display 1030 may include a light emission transmissive area 752through which light is emitted from the light emitting unit 1042 (e.g.,442 in FIG. 5) of the light detection device 1040 to the outside. Thedisplay driving instruction 1021 may include a pixel-off routine tocause one or more pixels included in the light emission transmissivearea of the display 1030 to be in an off state. When the one or morepixels included in the light emission transmissive area are turned off,the light emission transmissive area may be expressed in a dark color(e.g., black color).

Light (or light energy) output from the light emitting unit 1042 may beapplied to at least one pixel of the display 1030. The light output fromlight emitting unit 1042 may be applied to at least a part (e.g., thesemiconductor layer 544 in FIG. 5) of the switch 540 included in atleast one pixel of display 1030. When the light output from the lightemitting unit 1042 is applied to the semiconductor layer 544 of at leastone pixel, a malfunction may occur in which at least one pixel generateslight. According to the display driving instruction 1021, since thelight emission transmissive area is generally expressed in a black colordue to turning-off of one or more pixels included in the light emissiontransmissive area, although at least one pixel included in the lightemission transmissive area emits light from the light emitting unit1042, the visibility thereof may be deteriorated.

Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, at least onelight blocking element may block light, output from the light emittingunit 442 (e.g., 1042 in FIG. 8), from entering at least a part (e.g.,the semiconductor layer 544) of the switch 540. Since the light outputfrom the light emitting unit 1042 is blocked from entering thesemiconductor layer 544 of the pixel, a malfunction (e.g., a spot) inwhich one or more pixels emit light due to the light output from thelight emitting unit 1042 may be prevented. Although at least one lightblocking element exists, the light emitted from the light emitting unit1042 may be induced by a material in the display 1030 to enter thesemiconductor layer 544 of at least one pixel, whereby a malfunction inwhich at least one pixel emits light may occur. According to the displaydriving instruction 1021, since the light emission transmissive area isgenerally expressed in a black color due to turning-off of one or morepixels included in the light emission transmissive area, although atleast one pixel included in the light emission transmissive area emitslight by the light output from the light emitting unit 842, thevisibility thereof may be deteriorated.

The display driving instruction 1021 may include an expression routinein which one or more pixels included in the light emission transmissivearea of the display 1030 are turned on to cause the light emissiontransmissive area to be expressed in a dark color (e.g., black color).Since the light emission transmissive area is generally displayed inblack color due to activation of one or more pixels, although at leastone pixel included in the light emission transmissive area emits lightby the light output from the light emitting unit 1042, the visibilitythereof may be deteriorated.

The display driving instruction 1021 may include a pixelactivation/deactivation routine that causes a pixel to be turned off (ordeactivated) for a part of time in a frame (or an image frame). Thedisplay driving instruction 1021 may include a pixel driving routinethat turns off a pixel at a defined time ratio within a frame. Thedisplay 1030 may include an AMOLED display 430 that installs one switch540 per pixel. The display driving instruction 1021 may include a pixeldriving routine in which a pixel is turned on (activated) only for apredetermined time in the frame, and a pixel is turned off (deactivated)for the remaining time. When one or more pixels included in the lightemission transmissive area 752 of the display 1030 are turned off for atime in a frame, the light emission transmissive area may be expressedin a generally black color as if a black image is inserted in a frame.The pixel drive routine may be an AMOLED impulsive drive (AID). The rateat which pixels are turned on within a frame may be defined as an “AIDratio”. The higher the AID ratio, the brighter the brightness of thescreen. The display driving instruction 1021 may further include a pixeloutput adjustment routine of adjusting a light emission intensity of apixel to maintain the brightness of the screen when the AID ratio ischanged.

The display driving instruction 1021 may include a frame per second(FPS) setting routine of setting a rate (e.g., FPS) to display data ofone screen. The display drive instruction 821 may include the FPSsetting routine that causes the FPS to be adjusted according to variousfactors, such as hardware performance, complexity of displayed graphics,user preferences (e.g., a reaction time felt by a user).

The light detection device driving instruction 1022 may includeinstructions that cause the control unit 1001 to adjust at least oneelement of the light detection device 1040.

The light detection device driving instruction 1022 may include theactivation routine of selecting and activating at least a part of thelight receiving unit 1041 of the light detection device 1040 based onthe selected (or executed) detection mode. The light receiving unit 1041may include a plurality of light detectors capable of detecting light inone or more wavelength bands. According to the light detection devicedriving instruction 1022, the control unit 1001 may select and activateat least one light detector corresponding to the detection mode amongthe plurality of light detectors. The control unit 1001 may select atleast one of a plurality of detection modes at least partially based onexecution of an application and/or a user input.

The light detection device driving instruction 1022 may include theactivation routine of selecting and activating at least a part of thelight emitting unit 1042 of the light detection device 1040 based on theselected or executed detection mode. The light emitting unit 1042 mayinclude a plurality of light emitters capable of outputting light in oneor more wavelength bands.

According to the light detection device driving instruction 1022, thecontrol unit 1001 may select and activate at least one light emittercorresponding to the detection mode among the plurality of lightemitters.

According to the display driving instruction 1021, the control unit 1001may set an interval in which light is emitted through a pixel within aframe, and an interval in which light is not emitted through a pixel.The light detection device driving instruction 1022 may include anactivation adjustment routine to activate the light emitting unit 1042of the light detection device 1040 in an interval in which pixels areturned off in the frame. For example, when one or more pixels includedin the light emission transmissive area 752 of display 1030 are turnedoff for a time in the frame, the light emission transmissive area may beexpressed in a generally black color as if a black image is inserted inthe frame. Since the light emission transmissive area is expressed in agenerally black color due to turning off of the pixel for the part oftime in the frame, although at least one pixel included in the lightemission transmissive area emits light due to the light output from thelight emitting unit 1042 for the part of time in the frame, thevisibility thereof may be deteriorated.

The storage unit 1020 may include instructions relating to variousdetection modes using the light detection device 1040. The storage unit1020 may include an instruction that causes the control unit 1001 toselect a detection mode based on application execution and/or a userinput. The storage unit 1020 may include an instruction that causes thecontrol unit 1001 to determine an output wavelength band of the lightemitting unit 1042 based on the selected detection mode. The storageunit 1020 may include an instruction that causes the control unit 1001to output light in the determined output wavelength band through thelight emitting unit 1042. The storage unit 1020 may include instructionsthat cause the control unit 1001 to perform a series of operations ofdetecting at least a part of light scattered or reflected from theobject through the light receiving unit 1041 and acquiring informationrelating to the detection mode based on a detection value.

The electronic device 1000 may display a plurality of icons on a screen.The plurality of icons may represent applications stored in theelectronic device 1000. When an icon representing an object analysisapplication is detected by a user input (e.g., a touch input) among theplurality of icons, the control unit 1001 may perform the objectanalysis application. According to the executed object analysisapplication, the control unit 1001 may display a screen that provides alist (hereinafter, a detection function list) relating to variousdetection functions (a detection application or a detection applicationprogram). The detection function list may be displayed as various formsof GUI elements. When it is detected that at least one list entry in thedetection function list is selected by a user input, the control unit1001 may perform a detection function (or a detection mode)corresponding to the selected at least one list entry.

While an application is being executed, the control unit 1001 may selectat least one detection mode corresponding to the executed application.The control unit 1001 may select the proximity detection mode or thelike while a call application is executed. While the call application isbeing executed, the electronic device 1000 may be positioned and usednear a user's head for a call. When an outgoing call is requested to atelephone number of an external device (e.g., 102 or 104 in FIG. 1) by auser input, the control unit 1001 may execute an application relating toan outgoing call (hereinafter, an outgaining call application). Theelectronic device 1000 may receive a call from the external device, andthe control unit 1001 may execute an application relating to an incomingcall (hereinafter, an incoming call application).

The control unit 1001 may determine an output wavelength band of thelight emitting unit 1042 (or a light source) based on the selecteddetection mode. When the proximity detection mode is selected, thecontrol unit 1001 may determine a wavelength band including a maximumsensitivity wavelength of 950 nm, as the output wavelength band of thelight emitting unit 1042, according to the proximity detection mode.

The control unit 1001 may control the light emitting unit 1042 to outputthe light in the determined output wavelength band. The light emittingunit 1042 may be designed to selectively generate light of acorresponding wavelength band under the control of the control unit1001.

The control unit 1001 may detect at least a part of the light scatteredor reflected from the object through the light receiving unit 1041. Inan object analysis mode (e.g., the iris recognition mode or thefingerprint recognition mode), light in a corresponding wavelength band,which is emitted from the light emitting unit 1042, may be transferredto a user's body in the vicinity (e.g., within 10 cm) of the electronicdevice 1000, and the light may be absorbed, scattered, or reflected bythe user's body. The light (or light energy) scattered or reflected fromthe user's body may enter the light receiving unit 1041, and the lightreceiving unit 1041 may generate an electrical signal (or a detectionvalue) relating to biometric information (e.g., skin moistureinformation, skin melanin information, or skin erythema information)based on the entered scattered or reflected light, and may transfer thegenerated electrical signal relating to biometric information to thecontrol unit 1001.

The control unit 1001 may acquire information relating to the detectionmode based on the detected value, through the light receiving unit 1041.In the proximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 may receive anelectrical signal (or a detection value) from the light receiving unit1041 and may analyze the received electrical signal so as to obtaininformation on whether the object is close. In the object analysis mode,the control unit 1001 may receive the detected value from the lightreceiving unit 1041, and analyze the received detected value so as toobtain information on the object.

The control unit 1001 may acquire information relating to the detectionmode and may output the information to the display 1030, or the controlunit 1001 may transmit the obtained information to another electronicdevice (e.g., external electronic devices 102, 104 or 106 in FIG. 1).

The storage unit 1020 includes a proximity detection instruction 1023,proximity recognition distance information 1024, light output powervalue information 1025, proximity recognition threshold valueinformation 1026, and function a processing instruction 1027.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include instructions thatcause the control unit 1001 to use and adjust at least a part of thelight detection device 1040 so as to determine whether the object isproximate.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include an activationroutine of selecting and activating at least a part of the lightdetection device 1040 used to obtain a value for proximity of an object.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include a selection routineof selecting a proximity recognition distance from the proximityrecognition distance information 1024. The proximity recognitiondistance may be set based on application execution and/or a user input.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include a selection routineof selecting a light output power value (or an output intensity) for theselected proximity recognition distance from the light output powervalue information 1025. The light detection device driving instruction1022 may include a light output routine of causing light to be outputthrough the light emitting unit 1042 based on the selected light outputpower value.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include a selection routineof selecting, from the proximity recognition threshold value information1026, a proximity recognition threshold value based on the selectedproximity recognition distance and light output power value.

FIG. 22 is a table including the proximity recognition distanceinformation 1024, the light output power value information 1025 (oroutput intensity information), and the proximity recognition thresholdvalue information 1026.

Referring to FIG. 22, the light output power value (or output intensity)and the proximity recognition threshold value may be set according tothe proximity recognition distance. When a proximity recognitiondistance of 60 mm is selected and a light output power value of 200 mAis selected, the control unit 1001 may select a digital value of 4304 asthe proximity recognition threshold value. When a proximity recognitiondistance of 60 mm is selected and a light output power value of 100 mmAis selected, the control unit 1001 may select a digital value of 3200 asthe proximity recognition threshold value.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include an acquisitionroutine of acquiring a detection value generated by the activated lightdetection device 1040, according to the light detection device drivinginstruction 1022. The control unit 1001 may detect, by the lightreceiving unit 1041, at least a part of the light scattered or reflectedfrom the object.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include a proximitydetermination routine of comparing a detection value detected by thelight receiving unit 1041 with a selected proximity recognitiondetection threshold value, and determining whether the object is insideor outside the proximity recognition distance, according to a result ofthe comparison.

The proximity detection instruction 1023 may include an output intensityadjustment routine of, when a proximity of an object is recognized usingthe light detection device 1040 based on a first light output powervalue of the selected proximity recognition distance, selecting a secondlight output power value, instead of the first light output power value,for the selected proximity recognition distance. The second light outputpower value may be smaller than the first light output power value. Forexample, referring to FIG. 22, when proximity of the object isrecognized using the light detection device 1040 based on a light outputpower value of 200 mA for a proximity recognition distance of 60 mm, thecontrol unit 1001 may again select a light output power value of 100 mAfor the proximity recognition distance of 60 mm. When proximity of theobject is recognized using the light detection device 1040 based on alight output power value of 100 mA for the proximity recognitiondistance of 60 mm, the control unit 1001 may again select a light outputpower value of 50 mA for the proximity recognition distance of 60 mm.Since the light output power value is moved to a lower level accordingto proximity recognition of the object, power consumption of theelectronic device 1000 may be improved.

In FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, at least one light blocking element mayblock light, output from light emitting unit 442, from entering at leasta part (e.g., the semiconductor layer 544) of a switch 540. When theelectronic device 1000 is designed to include at least one lightblocking element, a light output power value of the light emitting unitmay be set to a relatively high fixed value compared to when theelectronic device 1000 does not include at least one light blockingelement. An operation of setting the light output power value of thelight emitting unit to a relatively high fixed value, compared to whenthe electronic device 1000 does not include at least one light blockingelement, may be aimed at compensating for an influence of the light fromthe light emitting unit by at least one light blocking element. Theoperation for setting the light output power value of the light emittingunit to the relatively high fixed value, compared to when the electronicdevice 1000 is designed not to have the light blocking element, may beineffective for power consumption. Power consumption of the electronicdevice 1000 may be improved if a light output power value is moved to alower level according to a proximity recognition of an object in a statewhere an identical proximity recognition distance is selected.

A function processing instruction 1027 may include a proximityrecognition processing routine of processing functions of the electronicdevice 1000 based on a proximity recognition of an object. The functionprocessing instruction 1027 may include a proximity cancellationprocessing routine of processing functions of the electronic device 1000based on a proximity cancellation for the object. The control unit 1001may deactivate the display 1030 based on a proximity recognition.

The light detection device 1040 includes the light receiving unit 1041and the light emitting unit 1042. The light receiving unit 1041 mayinclude all or a part of the light receiving unit 441 in FIG. 5, and adetailed description thereof will be omitted. The light emitting unit1042 may include all or a part of the light emitting unit 442 in FIG. 5,and a detailed description thereof will also be omitted.

The electronic device 1000 includes an input unit 1050. The input unit1050 may be configured to generate input signals required for operatingthe electronic device 1000. The input unit 1050 may include variousinput means, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a key button, and a touchbutton. The input unit 1050 may generate user input for executinginstructions in the storage unit 1020.

The electronic device 1000 includes a communication unit or module 1060)configured to support a communication function of the electronic device1000. Meanwhile, the communication unit 1060 may be provided as a mobilecommunication module in order to support a mobile communication functionof the electronic device 1000. The communication unit 1060 may establisha communication channel with a mobile communication system to supporttransmission and reception of signals for the mobile communicationfunction of the electronic device 1000.

The communication unit 1060 may establish at least one of a voiceservice channel, an image service channel, and a data service channelwith the mobile communication system and may support transmission orreception of a specific signal according to the corresponding servicechannel. The communication unit 1060 may operate in association with adetection function under the control of the control unit 1001 based onthe function processing instruction 1027. Information acquired throughthe light detection unit 1040 may be transmitted to an external device(e.g., a server) through the communication unit 1060.

The electronic device 1000 further includes a camera unit 1070. Thecamera unit 1070 may be used in various detection modes. For example, inthe iris recognition mode, the first surface 411 of the electronicdevice 1000 may be directed toward a user's face, and the camera unit1070 (e.g., a front camera) may capture a face image of the user. In theiris recognition mode, the face image captured by the camera unit 1070may be displayed on the screen. The camera unit 1070 may be selectivelyused in various detection modes.

The electronic device 1000 may include an audio processing unit 1090.The audio processing unit or module 1090 may output audio data relatingto an operation of the electronic device 1000 or audio data receivedfrom the outside through a speaker SPK. The audio processing unit 1090may output sound effects or guidance sounds related to the lightdetection function under the control of the control unit 1001. The audioprocessing unit 1090 may receive voice signals through a microphone MIC.The audio processing unit 1090 may convert an analog voice signaltransmitted through the microphone MIC into a digital voice signal. Theaudio processing unit 1090 may receive voice inputs related to the lightdetection function under the control of the control unit 1001. The audioprocessing unit 1090 may sense, through the microphone MIC, a voiceinput relating to selection and control of detection modes, and maytransfer the sensed voice input to the control unit 1001.

The electronic device 1000 includes a vibration unit 1080. The vibratingunit 1080 may include at least one vibrator disposed on electronicdevice 1000. The vibration unit 1080 may activate a vibrator in variousvibration patterns based on triggers generated by the electronic device1000 under the control of the control unit 1001. The vibration unit 1080may activate the vibrator based on triggers received from outside of theelectronic device 1000. The vibration unit 1080 may generate a vibrationassociated with the light detection function under control of thecontrol unit 1001 based on the function processing instruction 1027.

The electronic device 1000 may further include various elements (ormodules) depending on a form in which the electronic device 100 isprovided. For example, the electronic device 1000 may include otherelements, such as a short-range communication module for short-rangecommunication, an interface for data transmission and reception througha wired or wireless communication scheme, an Internet communicationmodule that performs an Internet function by communicating with anInternet network, and a digital broadcast module that receives andreproduces a digital broadcast. As apparent to those skilled in the art,specific elements among the above-described elements may be excluded, ormay be replaced with other elements according to the form of theelectronic device 1000.

An electronic device may include a housing; a display that is exposedthrough a surface of the housing; a light emitting unit that is disposedon at least a part of a rear surface of the display and includes atleast one light source for outputting light of at least one wavelengthband; and a light receiving unit that includes at least one area forreceiving light of the at least one wavelength band. The electronicdevice may include a light blocking element for blocking light, outputfrom the at least one light source, from entering a switch for turningon/off at least one pixel of the display. The electronic device mayinclude a processor electrically connected with the display, the lightemitting unit, and the light receiving unit, and a memory electricallyconnected with the processor. The memory may include instructions thatcause, when executed, the processor to output light through the at leastone light source in a state where one or more pixels included in aspecific area of the display, which includes an area covering the atleast one light source, are turned off or displayed in a specific color.

The electronic device may include a first power supply unit electricallyconnected to one or more pixels included in a specific area of thedisplay, and a second power supply unit electrically connected to pixelsincluded in the remaining area of the display. The electronic device mayinclude instructions that cause the processor to selectively block apower supply from a first power supply unit among the first power supplyunit and a second power supply unit when outputting light through the atleast one light source.

The instructions cause the processor, when an image is displayed on thedisplay, to set an interval in which a pixel is turned off for a time ina frame and to output light through the at least one light source in aset interval.

The display may be an AMOLED display.

The instructions may cause the processor to adjust the display in orderto display one or more pixels included in a specific area of the displayin a black color.

The switch may include a TFT. The light blocking element may blocklight, output from the at least one light source, from entering asemiconductor layer within the TFT.

The light blocking element may be included inside the display and may bedisposed between the semiconductor layer of the switch and the rearsurface of the display.

The light blocking element may include a light shielding material thatcovers the semiconductor layer of the switch.

The semiconductor layer may include a first surface facing the surfaceof the housing, a second surface facing the rear surface of the display,and a third surface that connects the first surface and the secondsurface. The light blocking element may cover at least one of the secondsurface and the third surface.

The display may include a buffer layer disposed between thesemiconductor layer and the rear surface of the display. The lightblocking element may be disposed between the semiconductor layer and thebuffer layer.

The housing may include a first surface which faces a first direction, asecond surface facing a second direction that is opposite the firstdirection, and a bezel that surrounds a space between the first surfaceand the second surface. The display may expose through the first surfaceand include an edge area overlapping at least a part of an area adjacentto an edge of the first surface, and a specific area of the display mayinclude the edge area.

An electronic device may include a housing; a display that is exposedthrough one surface of the housing; a light emitting unit that isdisposed on at least a part of a rear surface of the display andincludes at least one light source for outputting light of at least onewavelength band; and a light receiving unit that includes at least onearea for receiving light of the at least one wavelength band. Theelectronic device may include a light blocking element for blockinglight, output from the at least one light source, from entering a switchfor turning on/off at least one pixel of the display. The electronicdevice may include a processor electrically connected with the display,the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit, and a memoryelectrically connected with the processor. The memory may includeinstructions that cause, when executed, the processor to compare avalue, corresponding to light received by the light receiving unit, witha threshold value related to a proximity recognition of an object,determine whether the object is proximate, and decrease an outputintensity of the light emitting unit when it is determined that theobject is proximate.

The instructions may cause the processor to change a threshold value asthe output intensity of the light emitting unit decreases.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the control unit 1001 in more detail,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, the control unit 1001 includes a display drivingunit 1101, a detection mode selection unit 1103, and a light detectiondevice driving unit 1105.

The display driving unit 1101 may selectively activate at least one of aplurality of pixels of the display 1030 according to the display drivinginstruction 1021 of the storage unit 1020. The display 1030 may includean AMOLED display 430 that installs one switch 540 per pixel. Accordingto the display driving instruction 1021, the control unit 1001 maycontrol a switch 540 to adjust whether to activate a pixel.

The display driving unit 1101 may turn off one or more pixels includedin a light emission transmissive area 752 of the display 1030 accordingto the display driving instruction 1021. The electronic device mayinclude a first power supply unit electrically connected to one or morepixels included in the light emission transmissive area 752 of thedisplay 1030, and a second power supply unit electrically connected tothe pixels included in the remaining area of the display. When light isoutput through at least one light source of the light emitting unit1042, the display driving unit 1101 may selectively block power from thefirst power supply among the first power supply and the second powersupply. When one or more pixels included in the light emissiontransmissive area 752 are turned off, the light emission transmissivearea 752 may be expressed in a dark color (e.g., a black color). Sincethe light emission transmissive area 752 is expressed in a generallydark color due to deactivation of one or more pixels, although at leastone pixel included in the light emission transmissive area 752 emitslight by the light output from the light emitting unit 1042, thevisibility thereof may be deteriorated.

The display driving unit 1101 may turn on one or more pixels included inthe light emission transmissive area 752 of the display 1030, accordingto the display driving instruction 1021, so as to display the lightemission transmissive area 752 in a dark color (e.g., a black color).Since the light emission transmissive area 752 is displayed in a darkcolor due to activation of one or more pixels, although at least onepixel included in the light emission transmissive area 752 emits lightby light output from the light emitting unit 1042, the visibilitythereof may be deteriorated.

The display driving unit 1101 may turn on (activate) a pixel only for apredetermined time in a frame (or an image frame) according to thedisplay driving instruction 1021, and may turn off (deactivate) thepixel for the time remaining except for the predetermined time. When oneor more pixels included in the light emission transmissive area 752 ofdisplay 1030 are turned off for a time in the frame, the light emissiontransmissive area 752 may be expressed in a generally black color as ifa black image is inserted in the frame. Since the light emissiontransmissive area 752 is expressed in a black color for thepredetermined time in the frame, although at least one pixel included inthe light emission transmissive area 752 emits light by the light outputfrom the light emitting unit 1042, the visibility thereof may bedeteriorated.

The display driving unit 1101 may be a display drive integrated (DDI)circuit.

The detection mode selection unit 1103 may select at least one of theplurality of detection modes at least partially based on execution of anapplication and/or a user input. For example, when a call application isexecuted, the detection mode selection unit 1103 may select theproximity detection mode. When an iris recognition application isexecuted, the detection mode selection unit 1103 may select the irisrecognition mode.

The light detection device driving unit 1105 may confirm the detectionmode selected by the detection mode selection unit 1103 according to thelight detection device driving instruction 1022, and may select andactivate at least a part of the light receiving unit 1041 of the lightdetection device 1040 based on the selected detection mode. The lightdetection device driving unit 1105 may confirm the detection modeselected by the detection mode selection unit 1103 according to thelight detection device driving instruction 1022, and may select andactivate at least a part of the light emitting unit 1042 of the lightdetection device 1040 according to the light detection device drivinginstruction 1022.

The light detection device driving unit 1105 may confirm the detectionmode selected by the detection mode selection unit 1103 according to thelight detection device driving instruction 1022, and may activate thelight emitting unit 1042 of the light detection device 1040 in aninterval in which a pixel is turned off in a frame. When one or morepixels included in the light emission transmissive area 752 of thedisplay 1030 are turned off for a time in the frame, the light emissiontransmissive area 752 may be expressed in a generally black color as ifa black image is inserted in the frame. Since the light emissiontransmissive area 752 is expressed in a black color due to turning offof the pixel for the time in the frame, although at least one pixelincluded in the light emission transmissive area 752 emits light due tothe light output from the light emitting unit 1042 for the time in theframe, the visibility thereof may be deteriorated.

The control unit 1001 may include elements associated with variousdetection modes that use alight detection device 1040. The control unit1001 may include, in relation to the proximity detection mode, aproximity recognition distance selection unit 1107, a light output powervalue selection unit 1109, a proximity recognition threshold valueselection unit 1111, a proximity determination value acquisition unit1113, a proximity determination unit 1115, and a function processingunit 1117.

The proximity recognition distance selection unit 1107 may select aproximity recognition distance with respect to a proximity detectionmode selected by the detection mode selection unit 1103 according to theproximity detection instruction 1023. The proximity recognition distancemay be set based on an application execution and/or a user input.

The light output power value selection unit 1109 may select a lightoutput power value for a proximity recognition distance selected by theproximity recognition distance selection unit 1107 according to theproximity detection instruction 1023. The light detection device drivingunit 1105 may output light through the light emitting unit 1042 based onthe light output power value selected by the light output power valueselection unit 1109 according to the light detection device drivinginstruction 1022.

The proximity recognition threshold value selection unit 1111 may selecta proximity recognition threshold value based on a proximity recognitiondistance selected by the proximity recognition distance selection unit1107 and the light output power value selected by the light output powervalue selection unit 1109, according to the proximity detectioninstruction 1023.

The light output power value selection unit 1109 may select variouslevels of light output power values based on the selected proximityrecognition distance. For example, when a proximity of an object isrecognized using the light detection device 1040 based on a first lightoutput power value, the light output power value selection unit 1109 mayagain select a second light output power value that is smaller than thefirst light output power value. When the light output power valueselected by the light output power value selection unit 1109 is changed,the proximity detection threshold value selection unit 1111 may againselect a proximity recognition threshold value corresponding to thechanged light output power value.

The proximity detection value acquisition unit 1113 may acquire aproximity detection value through the light detection device 1040adjusted by the light detection device driving unit 1105 according tothe proximity detection instruction 1023.

The proximity determination unit 1115 may compare the proximitydetection value detected by the proximity detection value acquisitionunit 1113 with the proximity recognition threshold value selected by theproximity recognition threshold value selection unit 1111, and maydetermine whether the object is proximate based on a result of thecomparison, according to the function processing instruction 1027. Forexample, when the proximity detection value is greater than or equal tothe proximity recognition threshold value, the proximity determinationunit 1115 may determine that the object is within a proximityrecognition distance.

The function processing unit 1117 may perform functions of theelectronic device 1000 when a signal relating to proximity recognitionof the object is received from the proximity determination unit 1115,according to the function processing instruction 1027. For example, whenthe proximity of the object is recognized, the function processing unit1117 may transfer a signal for deactivating the display 1030 to thedisplay driving unit 1101.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the electronic device that provides the lightdetection function, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 are diagrams for describing theflowchart of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 12, in step 1201, the control unit 1001 (e.g., theprocessor 120 in FIG. 1 or the processor 210 in FIG. 2) may acquireinformation relating to on/off of a pixel within a frame.

The display 1030 may be an AMOLED display 430 that installs one switch540 per pixel. FIG. 13 illustrates driving pulses for a plurality ofsignal lines (e.g., the plurality of gate lines 720 and the plurality ofdata lines 730 in FIG. 7) installed in an AMOLED display.

In FIG. 13, EM [N] indicates a driving pulse of each line according to aframe flow. A frame 1300 may include at least one of intervals 1301,1302, 1303, and 1304, to which a current is applied. In the intervals1301, 1302, 1303, and 1304 in which a current is applied within theframe 1300, the pixels of the display may be in an on state and may emitlight. The frame 1300 may include at least one interval 1311, 1312,1313, and 1314 to which no current is applied. In the intervals 1311,1312, 1313, and 1314, to which no current is applied, in the frame 1300,the pixels of the display may be in an off state.

In step 1203, the control unit 1001 outputs light through the lightemitting unit 1042 in the off-interval (e.g., 1311, 1312, 1313, and 1314in FIG. 13) of the pixel in the frame. The control unit 1001 maysynchronize the pixel off-interval in the frame with a light emittinginterval of the light emitting unit 1042. Since the light emissiontransmissive area is generally expressed in a black color due toturning-off of one or more pixels included in the light emissiontransmissive area 752, although at least one pixel included in the lightemission transmissive area 752 emits light by the light output from thelight emitting unit 1042, the visibility thereof may be deteriorated. Instep 1205, the control unit 1001 detects at least a part of lightscattered or reflected from an object through the light receiving unit1041. In the proximity detection mode, the light in a correspondingwavelength band, output from the light emitting unit 1042, may betransferred to a user near (e.g., within 10 cm) the electronic device1000, and the light may be absorbed, scattered, or reflected by a user.For example, in a biometric detection mode (e.g., the iris recognitionmode or the fingerprint recognition mode), light in a correspondingwavelength band, output from the light emitting unit 1042, may betransferred to the user's body near the electronic device 1000, and thelight may be absorbed, scattered, or reflected by the user's body. Thelight (light energy or a light signal) that is scattered or reflectedfrom the user may enter the light receiving unit 1041, and the lightreceiving unit 1041, may generate an electrical signal (or a detectionvalue) relating to biometric information from the entered light, and maytransfer the generated electrical signal to the control unit 1001.

In step 1207, the control unit 1001 acquires information related to adetection function based on a detected value, through the lightreceiving unit 1041. For example, in the proximity detection mode, thecontrol unit 1001 may receive the electrical signal (or the detectionvalue) from the light receiving unit 1041, and may acquire informationrelating to a proximity of the object after analyzing the electricalsignal.

The control unit 1001 may acquire information related to the detectionmode and may output the acquired information on the display 1030 ortransfer the acquired information to another electronic device 102, 104or 106.

The control unit 1001 may be designed to select the detection mode atleast partially based on an execution of an application and/or a userinput, and to further perform an operation of adjusting the lightemitting unit 1042 and/or the light receiving unit 1041 based on theselected detection mode. The control unit 1001 may determine an outputwavelength band of the light emitting unit 1042 (or the light source)based on the selected detection mode. When the proximity detection modeis selected, the control unit 1001 may determine a wavelength bandincluding a maximum sensitivity wavelength of 950 nm, as the outputwavelength band of the light emitting unit 1042 according to theproximity detection mode. The light emitting unit 1042 may be designedto selectively output light in a corresponding output wavelength bandunder adjustment of the control unit 1001. When determining the outputwavelength band of the light emitting unit based on the selecteddetection mode, the control unit 1001 may output, in step 1205, light ofthe determined output wavelength band through the light emitting unit1042 in at least one off-interval in the pixel in the frame.

FIG. 14 is a state in which an iris recognition application is executedin an electronic device 1400, according to the various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, the electronic device 1400 may include all or apart of the electronic device 400 of FIG. 4A. A first surface 1410 ofthe electronic device 1400 may include a first area 1411 and a secondarea 1412 which are arranged in a direction from a first edge 1415-1 toa second edge 1415-2. A display of the electronic device 1400 may have asize overlapping the second area 1412 and the second area 1412 may be ascreen. When viewed in a direction, such as the second direction 40021in FIG. 4A, opposite the direction which the first surface 1410 faces, acamera may be mounted at a position in alignment with the light emissiontransmissive area 1440 formed in the first area 1411. One or more lightdetection devices 1040 may be mounted as the structure in FIG. 5 alongat least a part of the second area 1412. When the iris recognitionapplication is executed, the control unit 1001 may select the irisrecognition mode and may activate at least one light detection device1040 corresponding to the selected iris recognition mode. Light for irisrecognition, which is generated by the light detection device 1040, maybe emitted through a third area 1413 and a fourth area 1414, that areseparated from each other, in the second area 1412. When the light foriris recognition is emitted through the third area 1413 and the fourtharea 1414, the control unit 1001 may output the light for irisrecognition through the light emitting unit 1042 in an off-interval(e.g., 1311, 1312, 1313, or 1314 in FIG. 13) of a pixel in a frame.Since the light emission transmissive area 752 is expressed in agenerally dark color due to turning off one or more pixels included inthe light emission transmissive area 752 of the display, correspondingto the third area 1413 and the fourth area 1414, although at least onepixel included in the light emission transmissive area 752 emits lightby the light output from the light emitting unit 1042, the visibilitythereof may be deteriorated.

In the iris recognition mode, the control unit 1001 may activate thecamera and may display an image acquired through the camera, in thesecond area 1412. Since the image acquired through the camera isdisplayed in the second area 1412, a user may move and control theelectronic device 1400 so that the user's eyes both face the third area1413 and the fourth area 1414, respectively, with reference to thedisplayed image. In the iris recognition mode, the control unit 1001 maydisplay the third area 1413 and the fourth area 1414. The light for irisrecognition, generated by the light detection device 1040, may passthrough the third area 1413 and the fourth area 1414 to reach the user'seye, and may be absorbed, scattered, or reflected by the user's eye. Thelight (i.e., light energy or light signal) scattered or reflected fromthe user's eye may pass through the third area 1413 and/or the fourtharea 1414 and enter the light detection device 1040. An electric signal(or a detection value) relating to an iris may be generated from thescattered or reflected light entered in the light detection device 1040,and may be transferred to the control unit 1001. When the irisrecognition mode is selected, the control unit 1001 may further displayan unlock pattern 1415 in the second area 1412. Instead of irisrecognition, a touch input or a hovering input on the displayed unlockpattern 1415 may unlock the electronic device 1000.

FIG. 15 is a state in which a fingerprint recognition application isexecuted in an electronic device 1500, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The electronic device 1500 may include all or a partof the electronic device 400 of FIG. 4A. The display 430 of theelectronic device 1500 is generally formed to have a size overlappingthe entire area of a first surface 1510, and the entire area of thefirst surface 1510 may be a screen. One or more light detection devices1040 may be mounted as a structure in FIG. 5 along at least a part ofthe first surface 1510. When the fingerprint recognition application isexecuted, the control unit 1001 may select the fingerprint recognitionmode and activate at least one light detection device 1040 correspondingto the fingerprint recognition mode. Light for fingerprint recognitiongenerated by the light detection device 1040 may be emitted through apartial area 1511 of the first surface 1510. A light emitting area onthe first surface 1510 may vary depending on a position of the lightdetection device for fingerprint recognition. In the fingerprintrecognition mode, the control unit 1001 may display a fingerprintrecognition area 1511.

When light for fingerprint recognition is emitted through the partialarea 1511 (hereinafter, a fingerprint recognition area) of the firstsurface 1510, the control unit 1001 may output the light for fingerprintrecognition through the light emitting unit 1042 in off-intervals 1311,1312, 1313, and 1314 of a pixel in a frame. Since the light emissiontransmissive area 752 is expressed in a generally dark color due toturning off one or more pixels included in the light emissiontransmissive area 752 of the display, corresponding to the fingerprintrecognition area 1511, although at least one pixel included in the lightemission transmissive area 752 emits light by the light output from thelight emitting unit 1042, the visibility thereof may be deteriorated.

In the fingerprint recognition mode, when a user's finger is close(e.g., within 10 mm or less) to the fingerprint recognition area 1511,the light for fingerprint recognition generated by the light detectiondevice 1040 may pass through the fingerprint recognition area 1511 toreach the user's finger, and may be absorbed, scattered, or reflected bythe user's finger. The light (i.e., light energy or a light signal)scattered or reflected from the user's finger may pass through thefingerprint recognition area 1511 and enter the light detection device1040. An electric signal (or a detection value) relating to afingerprint may be generated from the scattered or reflected lightentered into the light detection device 1040, and may be transferred tothe control unit 1001.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the electronic device that provides a lightdetection function, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams for describing the flowchart ofFIG. 16, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16, in step 1601, when a light detection function isactivated, the control unit 1001 deactivates a predetermined area of thedisplay 1030, or may adjust the display 1030 to display thepredetermined area of the display 1030 in a specific color. Thepredetermined area of the display 1030 may be a light emissiontransmissive area 752 through which the light source of the lightemitting unit 1042 passes.

FIG. 17 is an electronic device 1700 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The electronic device 1700 may include all or a partof the electronic device 400 of FIG. 4A. The display 430 of theelectronic device 1700 may be formed to have a size overlapping theentire area of the first surface 1510, and the entire area of the firstsurface 1510 may be a screen. A light detection device 1040 may bemounted below the display, as the structure in FIG. 5, in the first edgearea 1715-11 of the first surface 1710. The display may include a firstarea 1701, in which the light detection device 1040 is not disposed, anda second area 1702 corresponding to a position in alignment with thelight detection device. At least one power supply for one or more pixelsincluded in the second area 1702 may be designed separately from atleast one power supply for one or more pixels included in the first area1701. The one or more pixels included in the first area 1701 may have astructure including one or more OLEDs connected between a first powersupply ELVDD and a second power source ELVSS and switches 1741 that turnon or off the OLEDs. The one or more pixels included in the second area1702 may have a structure including one or more OLEDs connected betweena third power supply ELVDD1 and a fourth power supply ELVSS1 andswitches 1742 that turn on or turn off the OLEDs. The control unit 1001may selectively deactivate the second area 1702 among the first area1701 and the second area 1702 by blocking the third power supply ELVDD1or the fourth power supply ELVSS1. When the second area 1702 isdeactivated, the second area 1702 may be expressed in a black color.Since the second area 1702 is expressed in a black color, although atleast one pixel included in the second area 1702 emits light by thelight output from the light emitting unit 442, the visibility thereofmay be deteriorated.

The control unit 1001 may be designed to select the detection mode atleast partially based on execution of an application and/or a userinput, and to further perform an operation of selecting at least a partof area of the display 1030 based on the selected detection mode. Whenselecting at least a part of area of the display 1030 based on theselected detection mode, the control unit 1001 may adjust the display1030 to deactivate the selected part of area of the display 1030 or todisplay a specific color, in step 1601.

FIG. 18 illustrates a state in which a call application is executed inan electronic device 1800, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The electronic device 1800 may include all or a part of theelectronic device 400 of FIG. 4A. The display 430 of the electronicdevice 1800 may be generally formed to have a size overlapping theentire area of a first surface 1810 (e.g., 4001 in FIG. 4A), and theentire area of the first surface 1810 may be a screen. One or more lightdetection devices 1040 may be mounted as the structure in FIG. 5 alongat least a part of the first surface 1810. The light detection devices1040 may be mounted below the display, as the structure in FIG. 5, in afirst edge area 1815-11 of the first surface 1810. The display mayinclude a light reception transmissive area 1811 arranged in the lightreceiving unit 441 of the light detection device. The display mayinclude a light emission transmissive area 1812 arranged in the lightemitting unit 442 of the light detection device 1040.

The control unit 1001 may select the proximity detection mode based onthe execution of the call application and may select the light emissiontransmissive area 1812 corresponding to the selected proximity detectionmode. In the proximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 maydeactivate the light emission transmissive area 1812. When the lightemission transmissive area 1812 is deactivated, the light emissiontransmissive area 1812 may be expressed in a black color. In theproximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 may display the lightemission transmissive area 1812 in a dark color (e.g., a black color).Since the light emission transmissive area 1812 is expressed in a blackcolor, although at least one pixel included in the light emissiontransmissive area 1812 emits light by the light output from the lightemitting unit 542, the visibility thereof may be deteriorated.

The control unit 1001 may select the proximity detection mode based onexecution of the call application and may select the first edge area1815-11 corresponding to the selected proximity detection mode. In theproximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 may deactivate the firstedge area 1815-11. When the first edge area 1815-11 is deactivated, thefirst edge area 1815-11 may be expressed in a black color. In theproximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 may display the firstedge area 1815-11 in a dark color (e.g., a black color). Since the firstedge area 1815-11 is expressed in a black color, although at least onepixel included in the light emission transmissive area 1812 of the firstedge area 1815-11 emits light by the light output from the lightemitting unit 542, the visibility thereof may be deteriorated. Duringthe proximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 may cause an object1813 displayed in the first edge area 1815-11 to disappear. During theproximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 may move the object 1813displayed in the first edge area 1815-11 out of the first edge area1815-11. During the proximity detection mode, the control unit 1001 maymaintain the display of the object 1813 as it is, or may change thedisplay of the object 1813 to another form or color and then display thechanged display of the object 1813.

When the call application is executed, the control unit 1001 may displayinformation 1801 relating to an outgoing call or an incoming call on thescreen. When an outgoing call application is executed, the control unit1001 may provide, on the screen, a control 1801 for activating afunction for recording during a call, a control 1802 for providing akeypad, a control 1803 for terminating a call, a control 1804 forswitching to a speakerphone mode, a control 1805 for blocking anoutgoing-call sound, or a control 1806 for switching to a headset mode.

In step 1603, the control unit 1001 outputs light through the lightemitting unit 1042.

In step 1605, the control unit 1001 detects at least a part of the lightscattered or reflected from the object through the light receiving unit1041.

In step 1607, the control unit 1001 acquires information related to thedetection function based on the detected value, through the lightreceiving unit 1041. For example, in the proximity detection mode, thecontrol unit 1001 may receive a detected value from the light receivingunit 1041, and may acquire information relating to the proximity of theobject after analysis.

The control unit 1001 may acquire information related to the detectionmode and may output the acquired information on the display 1030. Thecontrol unit 1001 may acquire information related to the detection modeand transmit the acquired information to another electronic device 102,104, or 106.

The control unit 1001 may be designed to select the detection mode atleast partially based on execution of an application and/or a userinput, and to further perform an operation of adjusting the lightemitting unit 1042 and/or the light receiving unit 1041 based on theselected detection mode. The control unit 1001 may determine an outputwavelength band of the light emitting unit 1042 (or a light source)based on the selected detection mode. When the proximity detection modeis selected, the control unit 1001 may determine the wavelength bandincluding a maximum sensitivity wavelength of 950 nm as the outputwavelength band of the light emitting unit 1042, according to theproximity detection mode. The light emitting unit 1042 may be designedto selectively output light in a corresponding output wavelength band byadjusting the control unit 1001. When determining the output wavelengthband of the light emitting unit 1042 based on the selected detectionmode, the control unit 1001 may output the light in the determinedoutput wavelength band through the light emitting unit 1042, in step1603.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the electronic device that provides theproximity recognition function, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 19, in operation 1901, a control unit 1001 may selectthe proximity detection mode at least partially based on execution of anapplication and/or a user input.

In step 1903, the control unit 1001 sets a proximity recognitiondistance. The control unit 1001 may set the proximity recognitiondistance based on the proximity detection mode.

Referring to FIG. 22, the control unit 1001 may set a distance of 60 mmas the proximity recognition distance.

In step 1905, the control unit 1001 selects a light output power level.The control unit 1001 may select the light output power level set to aninitial default level based on the proximity detection mode. Referringto FIG. 22, the light output power level may include a third levelhaving a light output power value of 200 mA, a second level having alight output power value of 100 mA, and a first level having a lightoutput power value of 50 mA. Including four or more light output powerlevels may be also possible. The control unit 1001 may select the thirdlevel having a light output power value of 200 mA, defined as theinitial default level in the proximity detection mode.

In step 1907, the control unit 1001 selects a proximity recognitionthreshold value based on the set proximity recognition distance and theselected light output power level. Referring to FIG. 22, when the thirdlevel having a light output power value of 200 mA for a proximityrecognition distance of 60 mm is selected in step 1905, the control unit1001 selects a digital value 4304 as the proximity recognition thresholdvalue.

In step 1909, the control unit 1001 outputs light through the lightemitting unit 1042 based on the selected light output power level.

In step 1911, the control unit 1001 detects at least a part of the lightscattered or reflected from an object, through the light receiving unit1041.

In step 1913, the control unit 1001 compares the value detected throughthe light receiving unit 1041 with the proximity recognition thresholdvalue. When the detected value is greater than or equal to the proximityrecognition threshold value, the control unit 1001 may recognize thatthe object is within the proximity recognition distance from theelectronic device 1000 in step 1915. Referring to FIG. 22, when thethird level having a light output power value of 200 mA for a proximityrecognition distance of 60 mm is selected, the control unit 1001 maycompare the value detected by the light receiving unit 1041 with thedigital value 4304 (i.e., a proximity recognition threshold value).

In step 1917, the control unit 1001 performs functions of the electronicdevice 1000 according to proximity recognition. The control unit 1001may deactivate the display 1030 according to proximity recognition.

When the detected value is smaller than the proximity recognitionthreshold value in step 1913, the control unit 1001 may perform step1921. In step 1921, the control unit 1001 performs level-up of the lightoutput power level selected in step 1905. After performing step 1921,the control unit 1001 may perform step 1907 and the steps thereafterusing the updated light output power level.

When the light output power level selected in step 1905 is the highestlevel, the control unit 1001 may perform step 1911 and the stepsthereafter again instead of step 1921. When the light output power levelselected in step 1905 is a threshold level limited in the proximitydetection mode, the control unit 1001 may perform step 1911 and theoperations thereafter again instead of step 1921.

After step 1917, the control unit 1001 executes step 1919. In step 1919,the control unit 1001 determines whether the light output power levelhas reached the lowest threshold level. When the light output powerlevel has reached the lowest threshold level, the control unit 1001performs step 1911 and the steps thereafter. When the light output powerlevel has not reached the lowest threshold level, the control unit 1001performs step 1923.

In step 1923, the control unit 1001 performs level-down of the lightoutput power level. After performing step 1923, the control unit 1001performs step 1907 and the operations thereafter using the updated lightoutput power level.

In FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, at least one light blocking element mayblock light, that is output from the light emitting unit 442, fromentering at least a part (e.g., the semiconductor layer 544) of a switch540. When the electronic device 1000 has at least one light blockingelement, the light output power value of the light emitting unit may beset to a relatively high fixed value compared to when the electronicdevice 1000 does not have at least one light blocking element. Anoperation of setting the light output power value of the light emittingunit to the relatively high fixed value compared to when the electronicdevice 1000 does not have at least one light blocking element, may beaimed at compensating for influence of the light from the light emittingunit 1042 by at least one light blocking element. The operation ofsetting the light output power value of the light emitting unit 1042 toa relatively high fixed value compared to when the electronic device1000 does not have at least one light blocking element, may not beefficient for power consumption. In the flowchart in FIG. 19, since thelight output power value is adjusted to move to a lower level based onproximity recognition of the object in a state where the same proximityrecognition distance is selected, power consumption of the electronicdevice 1000 may be improved.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are flowcharts of the electronic device that providesthe proximity recognition function, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing the flowchartsof FIGS. 20A and 20B, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, in step 2001, when the control unit 1001senses execution of the call application, it performs step 2003. Forexample, the electronic device 1000 may receive an external call from anexternal device 102 or 104 and the control unit 1001 may execute anapplication relating to an incoming call. When requesting a call to atelephone number of the external device 102 or 104 by a user input, thecontrol unit 1001 may execute an application related to an outgoingcall.

In step 2003, the control unit 1001 selects the proximity detection modebased on execution of the call application.

In step 2005, the control unit 1001 sets a first proximity recognitiondistance. The control unit 1001 may set the first proximity recognitiondistance based on the proximity detection mode. Referring to FIG. 22,the control unit 1001 may set the first proximity recognition distanceto be 60 mm.

In step 2007, the control unit 1001 selects a light output power valueof the third level in a state where the first proximity recognitiondistance is set. The control unit 1001 may select a light output powerlevel set to an initial default level based on the proximity detectionmode. The light output power level may include a first level having alight output power value of 50 mA, a second level having a light outputpower value of 100 mA, and a third level having a light output powervalue of 200 mA. The control unit 1001 may select the third level havinga light output power value of 200 mA, which is defined as the initialdefault level in the proximity detection mode.

In step 2009, the control unit 1001 selects a proximity recognitionthreshold value based on the set first proximity recognition distanceand the selected light output power value of the third level. Referringto FIG. 22, when the third level having a light output power value of200 mA for a proximity recognition distance of 60 mm is selected in step2007, the control unit 1001 may select the digital value 4304 as theproximity recognition threshold value.

In step 2011, the control unit 1001 outputs light through the lightemitting unit 1042 based on the selected light output power value of thethird level.

In step 2013, the control unit 1001 detects at least a part of the lightscattered or reflected from the object through the light receiving unit1041.

In step 2015, the control unit 1001 acquires a proximity distance from avalue detected through the light receiving unit 1041, based on theproximity recognition threshold value.

In step 2017, the control unit 1001 determines whether the proximitydistance acquired in step 2015 is less than or equal to the firstproximity recognition distance set in step 2005. When the acquiredproximity distance is greater than the set first proximity recognitiondistance, the control unit 1001 performs step 2013 and the operationsthereafter. When the acquired proximity distance is less than or equalto the set first proximity recognition distance, the control unit 1001determines, in step 2019, that the object is in a proximity state(proximity recognition). For example, referring to FIG. 21, anelectronic device 2010 may recognize the proximity of a user's head part2110 at a distance of 60 mm based on a proximity recognition distancesetting of 60 mm (the first proximity recognition distance), the lightoutput power value of the third level of 200 mA, and the correspondingproximity recognition threshold value.

In step 2021, the control unit 1001 deactivates the display 1030according to proximity recognition.

In step 2023, the control unit 1001 selects the light output power valueof the second level in a state where the first proximity recognitiondistance is set. Referring to FIG. 22, the control unit 1001 may selectthe second level having a light output power value of 100 mA.

In step 2025, the control unit 1001 selects the proximity recognitionthreshold value based on the set first proximity recognition distanceand the selected second level having a light output power value of 100mA. For example, referring to FIG. 22, the second level having alightoutput power value of 100 mA for the proximity recognition distance of60 mm is selected in step 2023, the control unit 1001 may select adigital value 3200 as the proximity recognition threshold value.

In step 2027, the control unit 1001 outputs light through the lightemitting unit 1042 based on the selected light output power value of thesecond level.

In step 2029, the control unit 1001 detects at least a part of lightscattered or reflected from the object through a light receiving unit1041.

In step 2031, the control unit 1001 acquires a proximity distance from avalue detected through the light receiving unit 1041, based on theproximity recognition threshold value.

In step 2033, the control unit 1001 determines whether the proximitydistance acquired in step 2031 is less than or equal to a secondproximity recognition distance. The second proximity recognitiondistance (30 mm) may be a value smaller than the first proximityrecognition distance (60 mm). When the acquired proximity distance isless than or equal to the second proximity recognition distance, thecontrol unit 1001 performs step 2037. When the acquired proximitydistance is greater than the second proximity recognition distance, thecontrol unit 1001 performs step 2035. In step 2035, the control unit1001 determines whether the acquired proximity distance is greater thanthe first proximity recognition distance. When the acquired proximitydistance is greater than the first proximity recognition distance, thecontrol unit 1001 performs step 2005 and the steps thereafter again.When the acquired proximity distance is less than or equal to the firstproximity recognition distance, the control unit 1001 performs step 2029and the steps thereafter again.

In step 2037, the control unit 1001 sets the second proximityrecognition distance instead of the first proximity recognitiondistance. For example, referring to FIG. 22, the control unit 1001 mayset the second proximity recognition distance to be 30 mm.

In step 2039, the control unit 1001 selects the light output power valueof the first level in a state where the second proximity recognitiondistance is set. For example, referring to FIG. 22, the control unit1001 may select the first level having a light output power value of 50mA.

In step 2041, the control unit 1001 selects the proximity recognitionthreshold value based on the set second proximity recognition distanceand the light output power value of the selected first level. Forexample, referring to FIG. 22, when the first level having a lightoutput power value of 50 mA for a proximity recognition distance of 30mm is selected in step 2039, the control unit 1001 may select a digitalvalue 8559 as the proximity recognition threshold value.

In step 2043, the control unit 1001 outputs light through the lightemitting unit 1042 based on the selected light output power value of thefirst level.

In step 2045, the control unit 1001 detects at least a part of the lightscattered or reflected from the object through the light receiving unit1041.

In step 2047, the control unit 1001 acquires a proximity distance from avalue detected through the light receiving unit 1041, based on theproximity recognition threshold value.

In step 2049, the control unit 1001 determines whether the proximitydistance acquired in step 2047 is less than or equal to the secondproximity recognition distance. When the acquired proximity distance isless than or equal to the second proximity recognition distance, thecontrol unit 1001 performs step 2045 and the steps thereafter. When theacquired proximity distance is greater than the second proximityrecognition distance, the control unit 1001 performs step 2023 again.For example, referring to FIG. 21, when the user's head part 2110reaches 30 mm from the electronic device 2010, the electronic device2010 may determine proximity recognition based on setting of the secondproximity recognition distance of 30 mm, the light output power value of100 mA of the first level, and the corresponding proximity recognitionthreshold value. In FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, at least one light blockingelement may block light, that is output from the light emitting unit(e.g., 442 in FIG. 5 or 1042 in FIG. 8), from entering at least a part(e.g., the semiconductor layer 544) of a switch 540. When the electronicdevice 1000 is designed to have at least one light blocking element, thelight output power value of the light emitting unit 1042 may be set to arelatively high fixed value compared to when the electronic device 1000is designed not to have at least one light blocking element. Anoperation of setting the light output power value of the light emittingunit 1042 to the relatively high fixed value, compared to when theelectronic device 1000 does not have at least one light blockingelement, may be aimed at compensating for influence of light from thelight emitting unit 1042 by at least one light blocking element. Theoperation of setting the light output power value of the light emittingunit 1042 to a relatively high fixed value, compared to when theelectronic device 1000 does not have at least one light blockingelement, may not be efficient for power consumption. In the flowchartsof FIGS. 20A and 20B, since the light output power value is flexiblyadjusted according to the proximity distance of the object, powerconsumption of the electronic device 1000 may be improved.

An operation method of an electronic device may include in a state whereone or more pixels included in a specific area of a display including anarea having at least one light source mounted on a rear surface thereofare turned off or displayed in a specific color, outputting lightthrough the at least one light source disposed on at least a part of therear surface of the display; and detecting at least a part of lightscattered or reflected from an object, through a light receiving unitdisposed on the at least part of the rear surface of the display.

The operation method of the electronic device may further includeselectively blocking a power supply from a first power supply unitelectrically connected to one or more pixels included in a specific areaof the display, among the first power supply unit and a second powersupply unit electrically connected to pixels included in the remainingarea of the display.

Outputting light through at least one light source disposed at least apart of the rear surface of the display may include, when an image isdisplayed on the display, setting an interval in which a pixel is turnedoff for a time in a frame; and outputting light through at least onelight source in the set interval.

The one or more pixels included in the specific area of the display maybe displayed in a black color.

An operation method of an electronic device may include outputting lightof at least one wavelength band through at least one light sourcedisposed on at least a part of a rear surface of a display; receiving atleast a part of light scattered or reflected from an object through alight receiving unit disposed on the at least part of the rear surfaceof the display; comparing a value corresponding to light received by thelight receiving unit with a threshold value related to proximityrecognition of an object; determining whether the object is proximate;and lowering an output intensity of the at least one light source whenit is determined that the object is proximate.

The operation method of the electronic device may further includechanging the threshold value as the output intensity of the at least onelight source decreases.

The operation method of the electronic device may further include, whenat least one application is executed based on an external signal and/ora user input, outputting through the at least one light source,determining whether the object is proximate, and lowering an outputintensity of the at least one light source.

The described embodiments of the present disclosure may be made into aprogram executable in a computer, and may be implemented in ageneral-purpose digital computer, which operates the program by using acomputer-readable recording medium. In addition, the data structure usedin the embodiments of the present disclosure may be recorded on acomputer-readable recording medium through various means. Thecomputer-readable recording medium includes a storage medium, such as amagnetic storage medium (e.g., a ROM, a floppy disk, or a hard disk) andan optical reading medium (e.g., a CD-ROM or a DVD).

The present disclosure has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, which isdefined, not by the detailed description and embodiments, but by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a display; aproximity sensor disposed behind the display, the proximity sensorconfigured to emit and receive a light of a specific wavelength band; amemory storing instructions; and a processor configured to execute theinstructions to: establish a phone call while the display is activated;turn on the proximity sensor; control a supply of power to the proximitysensor to emit light through a plurality of pixels in a portion of thedisplay corresponding to a position of the proximity sensor and receivethe light emitted by the proximity sensor and reflected by an object toidentify a distance between the electronic device and the object, if theplurality of the pixels in the position corresponding to the proximitysensor are deactivated during the phone call; and block the supply ofpower to the proximity sensor if the plurality of pixels in the portionof the display corresponding to the proximity sensor are activatedduring the phone call.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to: in response to theidentified distance being larger than a threshold distance, activate theplurality of pixels in the portion of the display during the phone call.3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the proximity sensorcomprises a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit; and theinstructions further cause the processor to: set a first proximityrecognition distance; select a first output intensity of a lightemitting unit; determine a first threshold value based on the firstproximity recognition distance and the first output intensity of thelight emitting unit; control a supply of power to the light emittingunit to output light based on the first output intensity; detect atleast part of light scattered or reflected from the object through thelight receiving unit; and acquire the proximity distance based on avalue detected through the light receiving unit and the first thresholdvalue.
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the instructionsfurther cause the processor to decrease the output intensity of thelight emitting unit when it is determined that the acquired proximitydistance is smaller than the first proximity recognition distance andthe change the threshold value as the output intensity of the lightemitting unit decreases.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, whereinthe instructions further cause the processor to: select a second outputintensity of the light emitting unit, which is lower than the firstoutput intensity; select a second threshold value based on the firstproximity recognition distance and the second output intensity; outputlight through the light emitting unit based on the second outputintensity of the light emitting unit; detect at least part of lightscattered or reflected from the object through the light receiving unit;acquire the proximity distance based on the value detected through thelight receiving unit and the second threshold value; and when theacquired proximity distance is smaller than a second proximityrecognition distance: set the second proximity recognition distance forproximity recognition; select a third output intensity of the lightemitting unit, which is lower than the second output intensity; select athird threshold value based on the second proximity distance and thethird output intensity; and output light through the light emitting unitbased on the third output intensity of the light emitting unit.
 6. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the display is an active matrixorganic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display.
 7. The electronic deviceof claim 1, further comprising a housing including a first surfacefacing a first direction, a second surface facing a second directionopposite to the first direction, and a bezel that surrounds a spacebetween the first surface and the second surface; and the display isexposed through the first surface and includes an edge area overlappingat least a part of an area adjacent to an edge of the first surface. 8.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further causethe processor to set an interval, in which the plurality of pixels inthe portion is turned off for a part of time in a frame, and control theproximity sensor to emit light in the set interval.
 9. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the processorto adjust the display in order to display the plurality of pixels in theportion of the display in a black color.
 10. An operation method of anelectronic device, comprising: establishing a phone call while a displayof the electronic device is activated; turning on a proximity sensor ofthe electronic device; controlling a supply of power to the proximitysensor to emit light through a plurality of pixels in a portion of thedisplay corresponding to a position of the proximity sensor and receivethe light emitted by the proximity sensor and reflected by an object toidentify a distance between the electronic device and the object, if theplurality of the pixels in the position corresponding to the proximitysensor are deactivated during the phone call; and blocking the supply ofpower to the proximity sensor if the plurality of pixels in the portionof the display corresponding to the proximity sensor are activatedduring the phone call.
 11. The operation method of claim 10, furthercomprising: in response to the identified distance being larger than athreshold distance, activating the plurality of pixels in the portion ofthe display during the phone call.
 12. The operation method of claim 10,wherein the proximity sensor comprises a light emitting unit and a lightreceiving unit, and further comprising: setting a first proximityrecognition distance; selecting a first output intensity of a lightemitting unit; determining a first threshold value based on the firstproximity recognition distance and the first output intensity of thelight emitting unit; controlling a supply of power to the light emittingunit to output light based on the first output intensity; detecting atleast part of light scattered or reflected from the object through thelight receiving unit; and acquiring the proximity distance based on avalue detected through the light receiving unit and the first thresholdvalue.
 13. The operation method of claim 12, further comprising:decreasing the output intensity of the light emitting unit when it isdetermined that the acquired proximity distance is smaller than thefirst proximity recognition distance and changing the threshold value asthe output intensity of the light emitting unit decreases.
 14. Theoperation method of claim 13, wherein decreasing the output intensityand changing the threshold value comprise: selecting a second outputintensity of the light emitting unit, which is lower than the firstoutput intensity; selecting a second threshold value based on the firstproximity recognition distance and the second output intensity;outputting light through the light emitting unit based on the secondoutput intensity of the light emitting unit; detecting at least part oflight scattered or reflected from the object through the light receivingunit; acquiring the proximity distance based on the value detectedthrough the light receiving unit and the second threshold value; andwhen the acquired proximity distance is smaller than a second proximityrecognition distance: setting the second proximity recognition distancefor proximity recognition; selecting a third output intensity of thelight emitting unit, which is lower than the second output intensity;selecting a third threshold value based on the second proximity distanceand the third output intensity; and outputting light through the lightemitting unit based on the third output intensity of the light emittingunit.
 15. The operation method of claim 10, wherein the display is anactive matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display.
 16. Theoperation method of claim 10, wherein: the electronic device furthercomprises a housing including a first surface facing a first direction,a second surface facing a second direction opposite to the firstdirection, and a bezel that surrounds a space between the first surfaceand the second surface; and the display is exposed through the firstsurface and includes an edge area overlapping at least a part of an areaadjacent to an edge of the first surface.
 17. The operation method ofclaim 10, wherein the electronic device further comprises: a memorystoring instructions; and a processor configured to execute theinstructions to cause the processor to set an interval, in which theplurality of pixels in the portion is turned off for a part of time in aframe, and control the proximity sensor to emit light in the setinterval.
 18. The operation method of claim 17, wherein the instructionsfurther cause the processor to adjust the display in order to displaythe plurality of pixels in the portion of the display in a black color.